Early environmental predictors for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their co-occurrence: The prospective ABIS-Study

This research was conducted by Lebeña et al (2024).

This study examines pre- and perinatal risk factors and early psychosocial exposures associated with later diagnoses of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence in a large Swedish cohort.

Using data from 16,365 children followed from birth to 23 years, the researchers found that being male and having lower household income increased the risk for all three outcomes. ADHD was additionally associated with factors like maternal smoking, serious life events during pregnancy, and shorter breastfeeding duration.

ASD was linked to factors such as maternal diseases during pregnancy and older maternal age. The co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD seemed to overlap more with ADHD risk factors but was uniquely associated with a family history of autoimmune diseases.

The study suggests that while ASD may have a stronger genetic and biological component, ADHD appears more influenced by environmental and psychosocial factors. These findings provide insights into potential risk factors and preventive measures for these neurodevelopmental disorders.

Link to full paper:

https://rdcu.be/dQypA