Apgar Scores Are Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Severity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Adverse events during pregnancy and delivery have been linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies have investigated Apgar scores, which assess the physical condition of newborns, in relation to the risk of developing ADHD. We propose to go one step further and examine if Apgar scores are associated with ADHD symptom severity in children already diagnosed with ADHD.

Method

ADHD symptoms severity, while off medication, was compared in 2 groups of children with ADHD: those with low (≤6, n = 52) and those with higher (≥7, n = 400) Apgar scores sequentially recruited from the ADHD clinic.

Results

Children with low Apgar at 1 minute after birth had more severe symptoms as assessed by the externalizing scale of the Child Behaviour C

SUBMITTER: Grizenko N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4841284 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature