Obstetric oxytocin exposure and ADHD and ASD among Danish and Finnish children

Author(s):  
Lonny Stokholm ◽  
Mette Juhl ◽  
Nicole M Talge ◽  
Mika Gissler ◽  
Carsten Obel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Some studies have indicated an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a small, sex-specific association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children prenatally exposed to obstetric oxytocin. Since oxytocin is widely used in the obstetric ward, these potentially deleterious effects are of concern. Thus, we aimed to examine whether obstetric oxytocin treatment for labour induction or augmentation is associated with ADHD and ASD in offspring born in a two-country design based on data from Denmark and Finland. Methods This population-based study used data from national registers in Denmark and Finland. Singletons born in Denmark 2000–10 (n = 577 380) and Finland 1991–2010 (n = 945 543), who survived infancy, were followed until 31 December 2015. ADHD and ASD were defined using diagnostic codes. For ADHD, we also included information on prescribed and redeemed ADHD medication in the definition. Hazards ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), modelled with age as the underlying time scale, were calculated to estimate the associations. Results Oxytocin was used in 31% and 46% of the included deliveries in Denmark and Finland, respectively. In crude analyses, prenatal oxytocin was associated with an approximately 20% increased risk of ADHD and ASD, but confounder adjustment attenuated the association. The adjusted HR was 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05, for ADHD and 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08, for ASD. The results were similar in across country and gender. Conclusions We found an association between synthetic oxytocin and ADHD or ASD which is unlikely to reflect a causal association and thus should not support the concern of clinical use. Our results help to allay concerns of obstetric use of oxytocin causing ADHD or ASD.

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Jokiranta-Olkoniemi ◽  
Keely Cheslack-Postava ◽  
Petteri Joelsson ◽  
Auli Suominen ◽  
Alan S. Brown ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundProbands with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for several psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The risk of these disorders among the siblings of probands has not been thoroughly assessed in a population-based cohort.MethodsEvery child born in Finland in 1991–2005 and diagnosed with ADHD in 1995–2011 were identified from national registers. Each case was matched with four controls on sex, place, and date of birth. The full siblings of the cases and controls were born in 1981–2007 and diagnosed in 1981–2013. In total, 7369 cases with 12 565 siblings and 23 181 controls with 42 753 siblings were included in the analyses conducted using generalized estimating equations.Results44.2% of the cases and 22.2% of the controls had at least one sibling diagnosed with any psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorder (risk ratio, RR = 2.1; 95% CI 2.0–2.2). The strongest associations were demonstrated for childhood-onset disorders including ADHD (RR = 5.7; 95% CI 5.1–6.3), conduct and oppositional disorders (RR = 4.0; 95% CI 3.5–4.5), autism spectrum disorders (RR = 3.9; 95% CI 3.3–4.6), other emotional and social interaction disorders (RR = 2.7; 95% CI 2.4–3.1), learning and coordination disorders (RR = 2.6; 95% CI 2.4–2.8), and intellectual disability (RR = 2.4; 95% CI 2.0–2.8). Also, bipolar disorder, unipolar mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, other neurotic and personality disorders, substance abuse disorders, and anxiety disorders occurred at increased frequency among the siblings of cases.ConclusionsThe results offer potential utility for early identification of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in at-risk siblings of ADHD probands and also argue for more studies on common etiologies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Rowland ◽  
Claire A. Wilson

AbstractThere is growing evidence for a role of maternal diabetes in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the specific association between gestational diabetes (GDM), as opposed to pre-gestational diabetes, has been poorly isolated. Thus the aim was to systematically review and meta-analyse literature pertaining to prevalence and risk for two neurodevelopmental disorders: autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), when exposed to GDM. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL were systematically searched for eligible literature, with forward and backward citation tracking. Screening for eligibility, risk of bias assessment and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. 18 studies measuring ASD and 15 measuring ADHD met inclusion criteria. On meta-analysis there was an increased risk of ASD (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.22, 1.65) but not ADHD (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.79, 1.28). We discuss potential mechanisms for these differing risks. Greater understanding of risk factors, including GDM, for these neurodevelopmental disorders and potential mechanisms may help inform strategies aimed at prevention of exposure to these adversities during pregnancy.


BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heng Fan ◽  
Ruth Gilbert ◽  
Finbar O’Callaghan ◽  
Leah Li

Abstract Objective To assess the association between macrolide antibiotics prescribing during pregnancy and major malformations, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder in children. Design Population based cohort study. Setting The UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Participants The study cohort included 104 605 children born from 1990 to 2016 whose mothers were prescribed one macrolide monotherapy (erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin) or one penicillin monotherapy from the fourth gestational week to delivery. Two negative control cohorts consisted of 82 314 children whose mothers were prescribed macrolides or penicillins before conception, and 53 735 children who were siblings of the children in the study cohort. Main outcome measures Risks of any major malformations and system specific major malformations (nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genital, and urinary) after macrolide or penicillin prescribing during the first trimester (four to 13 gestational weeks), second to third trimester (14 gestational weeks to birth), or any trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, risks of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Results Major malformations were recorded in 186 of 8632 children (21.55 per 1000) whose mothers were prescribed macrolides and 1666 of 95 973 children (17.36 per 1000) whose mothers were prescribed penicillins during pregnancy. Macrolide prescribing during the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of any major malformation compared with penicillin (27.65 v 17.65 per 1000, adjusted risk ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 2.03) and specifically cardiovascular malformations (10.60 v 6.61 per 1000, 1.62, 1.05 to 2.51). Macrolide prescribing in any trimester was associated with an increased risk of genital malformations (4.75 v 3.07 per 1000, 1.58, 1.14 to 2.19, mainly hypospadias). Erythromycin in the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of any major malformation (27.39 v 17.65 per 1000, 1.50, 1.13 to 1.99). No statistically significant associations were found for other system specific malformations or for neurodevelopmental disorders. Findings were robust to sensitivity analyses. Conclusions Prescribing macrolide antibiotics during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of any major malformation and specifically cardiovascular malformations compared with penicillin antibiotics. Macrolide prescribing in any trimester was associated with an increased risk of genital malformations. These findings show that macrolides should be used with caution during pregnancy and if feasible alternative antibiotics should be prescribed until further research is available. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03948620


2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 907-913
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Tomson ◽  
Giulia Muraca ◽  
Neda Razaz

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between paternal use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and major congenital malformations (MCM) in the offspring.MethodsUsing nationwide Swedish registries, we included 1 144 795 births to 741 726 fathers without epilepsy and 4544 births to 2955 fathers with epilepsy. Of these, 2087 (45.9%) were born to fathers with epilepsy who had dispensed an AED during the conception period. Children who had both parents with epilepsy were excluded. The incidence rate of MCM, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability in offspring was analysed.ResultsOffspring of fathers exposed to AEDs did not show an increased risk of MCM (adjusted OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.2), autism (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.7), ADHD (aHR 1.1, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.9) or intellectual disability (aHR 1.3, 95% CI 0.6 to 2.8) compared with offspring of fathers with epilepsy not exposed to AEDs. Among offspring of fathers with epilepsy who used valproate in monotherapy during conception, rates of autism (2.9/1000 child-years) and intellectual disability (1.4/1000 child-years) were slightly higher compared with the offspring of fathers with epilepsy who did not use AEDs during conception (2.1/1000 child-years autism, 0.9/1000 child-years intellectual disability), but in the propensity-score adjusted analyses, no statistically significant increased risk of adverse outcomes was found.ConclusionsPaternal AED use during conception is not associated with adverse outcomes in the offspring.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (14) ◽  
pp. 2397-2404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mu-Hong Chen ◽  
Ju-Wei Hsu ◽  
Kei-Lin Huang ◽  
Tung-Ping Su ◽  
Cheng-Ta Li ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundBipolar disorder is a highly heritable mental illness that transmits intergeneratively. Previous studies supported that first-degree relatives (FDRs), such as parents, offspring, and siblings, of patients with bipolar disorder, had a higher risk of bipolar disorder. However, whether FDRs of bipolar patients have an increased risk of schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains unclear.MethodsAmong the entire population in Taiwan, 87 639 patients with bipolar disorder and 188 290 FDRs of patients with bipolar disorder were identified in our study. The relative risks (RRs) of major psychiatric disorders were assessed among FDRs of patients with bipolar disorder.ResultsFDRs of patients with bipolar disorder were more likely to have a higher risk of major psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder (RR 6.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.95–6.30), MDD (RR 2.89, 95% CI 2.82–2.96), schizophrenia (RR 2.64, 95% CI 2.55–2.73), ADHD (RR 2.21, 95% CI 2.13–2.30), and ASD (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.92–2.29), than the total population did. These increased risks for major psychiatric disorders were consistent across different familial kinships, such as parents, offspring, siblings, and twins. A dose-dependent relationship was also found between risk of each major psychiatric disorder and numbers of bipolar patients.ConclusionsOur study was the first study to support the familial coaggregation of bipolar disorder with other major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, MDD, ADHD, and ASD, in a Taiwanese (non-Caucasian) population. Given the elevated risks of major psychiatric disorders, the public health government should pay more attention to the mental health of FDRs of patients with bipolar disorder.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1211-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Wang ◽  
Fei Li ◽  
Maohua Miao ◽  
Yongfu Yu ◽  
Honglei Ji ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is a maternal history of spontaneous abortion (SA) associated with an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring? SUMMARY ANSWER Our results suggest an association between maternal history of SA and ADHD in offspring, with the risk increasing with the number of maternal SA and highest in the firstborn children whose mothers had had recurrent SAs after adjusting for a number of potential confounders. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A history of SA has been associated with more complications in next pregnancies and adverse childbirth outcomes, which are risk factors for ADHD in the offspring. However, no previous study has investigated whether maternal SA increases risk of ADHD in the offspring. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This population-based study included all live-born children in Denmark from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2012 (n = 1 062 667). All children were followed from 3 years of age until the day of ADHD diagnosis, death, emigration or 31 December 2016, whichever came first. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS There were 130 206 (12.2%) children born to mothers who had at least one SA. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE During a median follow-up of 9.4 years (interquartile range, 5.4–14.3), 25 747 children were diagnosed with ADHD. Overall, children of mothers with a history of SA had an increased rate of ADHD (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.15). The HRs increased with the number of maternal SA, 1.09 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.13) for one SA and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.33) for at least two SAs, respectively. These findings were consistent when we took into consideration a number of factors, such as maternal socioeconomic status, type of SA, birth order, parental history of psychiatric disorders, pregnancy characteristics and adverse birth outcomes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Misclassification of SA was possible as we used population-based register data to capture maternal history of SA. However, any misclassification of maternal history of SA would be non-differential with regard to the diagnosis of ADHD in offspring, which generally leads to underestimation of the associations. Furthermore, probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested that only 1% of change in the estimate may have been due to misclassification of SA. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS SA is quite frequent (varying from 15 to 20%), and a small increase of neurodevelopmental problems in offspring could have major public health implications. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81703237, No. 81530086 and No. 81761128035), National Key Research and Development Program (2018YFC1002801, 2016YFC1000505), Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning (No. 2017ZZ02026, No. 2017EKHWYX-02), the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF18OC0052029), the Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF-6110-00019), the Nordic Cancer Union (176673, 186200 and R217-A13234-18-S65), Karen Elise Jensens Fond (2016) and Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (2018YJRC03). All authors report no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NA.


2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Butwicka ◽  
Niklas Långström ◽  
Henrik Larsson ◽  
Sebastian Lundström ◽  
Eva Serlachius ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (5) ◽  
pp. 355-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quetzal A. Class ◽  
Martin E. Rickert ◽  
Henrik Larsson ◽  
Paul Lichtenstein ◽  
Brian M. D'Onofrio

BackgroundIt is unclear whether associations between fetal growth and psychiatric and socioeconomic problems are consistent with causal mechanisms.AimsTo estimate the extent to which associations are a result of unmeasured confounding factors using a sibling-comparison approach.MethodWe predicted outcomes from continuously measured birth weight in a Swedish population cohort (n = 3 291 773), while controlling for measured and unmeasured confounding.ResultsIn the population, lower birth weight (⩽2500 g) increased the risk of all outcomes. Sibling-comparison models indicated that lower birth weight independently predicted increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (hazard ratio for low birth weight = 2.44, 95% CI 1.99–2.97) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although attenuated, associations remained for psychotic or bipolar disorder and educational problems. Associations with suicide attempt, substance use problems and social welfare receipt, however, were fully attenuated in sibling comparisons.ConclusionsResults suggest that fetal growth, and factors that influence it, contribute to psychiatric and socioeconomic problems.


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