Systematic review and meta-analysis: relative age in attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT: Youngest students in their class, with birthdates just before the school entry cut-off date, are overrepresented among children receiving an Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis or medication for this. This is known as the relative age effect. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarises the evidence on the influence of relative age on ADHD symptoms, diagnosis and medication prescribing. As no review to date has investigated the association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, this is also examined. Following prospective registration with PROSPERO, we conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched seven databases: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science Core Collection, ERIC, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collecti

SUBMITTER: Frisira E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11868292 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature