Associations between ADHD symptoms and maternal and birth outcomes: An exploratory analysis in a multi-country cohort of expectant mothers
Year: 2022
Type: preprint
Abstract: ADHD symptoms can adversely impact functioning in a range of domains relevant for maternal well-being and foetal development; however, there has been almost no research examining their impact during pregnancy. We used data (n=1204) from a longitudinal birth cohort study spanning eight countries to address this gap. ADHD symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with lower social support from family (b=-0.16, p=.031), friends (b=-0.16, p=.024), and significant others (b=-0.09 p=.001); higher stress (b=0.34, p<.001) and depressive symptoms (b=0.31, p<.001), and increased likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy (b=0.30, p=.009). Significant associations with tobacco use (b=.36, p=.023) and premature birth (b=.35, p=.007) did not survive correction for multiple comparisons and there were no significant associations with alcohol use, low birth weight, or unplanned pregnancy. Results suggest that women with ADHD symptoms could benefit from earlier, more regular screening for mental health difficulties and greater mental health support during pregnancy.
Authors: Aja Louise Murray, Diana Taut, Adriana Baban, Chad Lance Hemady, Susan Walker, Joseph Osafo, Siham Sikander, Mark Tomlinson, Stefani Dutoit, Marguerite Marlow, Catherine Ward, Asvini D Fernando, Bernadette Madrid, Thang Van Vo, Tuyen Dinh Hoang, Michael Dunne, Claire Hughes, Pasco Fearon, Sara Valdebenito, Manuel Eisner
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Fondation Botnar
OpenAlex ID: W4214534448