Rabu, 02 Mei 2012

Overdue babies 'twice as likely to develop ADHD in early childhood'

Overdue babies 'twice as likely to develop ADHD in early childhood'

By Jenny Hope

PUBLISHED: 18:01 EST, 2 May 2012 | UPDATED: 19:25 EST, 2 May 2012

Babies who spend too long in the womb are twice as likely to suffer behavioural problems in early childhood, researchers have warned.

The added risk is similar to that of being born prematurely, which is known to cause health and emotional problems.

The first study of its kind found that babies born after a pregnancy of 42 weeks were twice as likely to have long-term problems compared with those born after about 40 weeks â€" the normal length of a pregnancy.

A study in the Netherlands found overdue babies are twice as likely to suffer from ADHD

A study in the Netherlands found overdue babies are twice as likely to suffer from ADHD

The findings will increase calls for women to be offered induction methods or a caesarean if their pregnancy becomes prolonged.

The researchers, from the Netherlands, say the results may be due to the placenta failing to provide sufficient nutrients and oxygen after 40 weeks.

Their study followed the progress of 5,145 babies in Rotterdam for three years to investigate the relationship between the length of time spent in the womb and long-term behavioural and emotional problems.

They found that 382 babies (7 per cent) were born post-term, or beyond 42 weeks. The longest time spent in the womb was 43.7 weeks.

Of the others, 226 (4 per cent) were born pre-term, which is classified as before 37 weeks.

The children's parents completed questionnaires on their behaviour after 18 and 36 months. The researchers found that both post-term and pre-term babies were at a higher risk of behavioural and emotional problems at these stages.

Enlarge   Premature births on the rise

Post-term children were almost twice as likely as children born around 40 weeks to have such problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Symptoms include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity.

The study's lead author Dr Hanan El Marroun said: 'Children born too late are more than twice as likely as term-born children to have clinical ADHD.' She added that the risk for those born too early is 'similar'.

'We were aware of potential complications caused by babies born prematurely, but these findings suggest there is also a greater risk of long-term problems among babies born too late,' she warned.

Dr El Marroun said the overall rate of emotional and behavioural problems was 2 per cent, rising to 4 per cent among early and late babies.

She explained that those who spend longer than 40 weeks in the womb tend to be bigger. The 'old' placenta cannot provide the level of nutrients and oxygen they require, she said, which may lead to abnormal physical, emotional and behavioural development.

She suggested that, 'based on our findings and previous research, it would be advisable to induce labour or offer a c-section' at between 40 and 41 weeks, 'because it might reduce emotional problems and has the advantage of pre-empting some of the other complications involved when women give birth to bigger babies'.

Her team's research is publish-ed in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

 

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Best rated
  • Worst rated

More rubbish from the ministry of silly ideas

Report abuse

Well... Both my girls were over 42 weeks, born naturally with no intervention. At 7 and 5 they certainly seem totally normal; healthy, happy, well behaved, and are excelling in school. More than one study should be done before they start performing unnecessary C-Sections.

Report abuse

Sounds like hog wash to me.

Report abuse

I would assume most babies born past 42 weeks were induced or born via c-section. I would be interested in a study that separated these groups (born free of pitocin etc. vs. born "all-natural" or with only an epidural). Could it be that the synthetic hormones used in induction have an effect on mood for a few years? Since most late babies are induced, that might bump the post-42-wk ADHD diagnosis numbers up a bit.

Report abuse

ADHD, is totally made up by crackpot medics. Kids will be kids, some could do with some discipline to sort out their "ADHD".

Report abuse

Our daughter was born 2 weeks overdue (and, even then, only by C-section - the induction failed). I realised very early on that she's 'different' from most children but also happened to spot the problem - she what is termed as 'gifted' (ie she tested within the top 1% for IQ). Gifted children *very* often have misdiagnoses of ADHD and/ or Aspergers. Sadly, many are then unnecessarily medicated. Whilst I don't claim ADHD doesn't exist, I certainly believe that it is grossly overdiagnosed. And for those with a child supposedly displaying ADHD-type symptoms, it might pay to research giftedness before accepting a diagnosis.

Report abuse

I find this study interesting, though the conclusion seems concerning. This relates to the fact that if the researchers were looking at the rate of ADHD in children followed for 3 years - i.e. three years after their birth. Since most ADHD is diagnosed in school aged children (i.e. 6 years and older), I would find the results much more reliable if the children were followed up for longer. If the researchers concluded that the children were more likely to have a difficult temperament, then that would make sense, but unless they have clear data on the assessment tools they used to assess for ADHD in these 3 year olds, I question these conclusions.

Report abuse

I'm sure DM will be flooded with comments saying ADHD doesn't exist, its just bad parenting. As someone who was delivered amongst a very traumatic birth where my mother and I nearly died, I was left very ill and also developed ADHD and Semantic Language Disorder. Maybe it was also genetics, but I really think my birth had someone thing to do with it. I was dianogised at 9 years old and began medication in year 8, so I would of been 11. It was the best thing that ever could of happened to me. I made more friends and my grades increased dramatically. Before medication mum read a book about ADHD and the effects of fizzy drinks and junk food. Nothing really changed. If you have a child who displays these symptoms, please dont casually throw it off as 'being a kid'. Its not that hard to get them checked out by a professional who will give you the advice and support needed. If I never took medication throughout high school, I honestly wouldn't be here today.

Report abuse

I worked with young families for years. I found that a lot of premature babies did have difficult behaviour for a few years. But never overdue babies! And as for the specific diagnosis of ADHD ......I found that it didn't matter when they were born, I found that this disorder was nearly always genetic in the family. However, listen to the smug know-it alls on here, who have been luckily blessed with 'good' children. They think they know more than pediatricians around the world and will telling the parents of children with challenging personalities that it's all their own fault for being bad parents. Cruel and heartless.

Report abuse

All this would be made even worse when the vaccines start too!

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Diposting oleh di

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Langganan: Posting Komentar (Atom)