Evaluation of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Risk Factors

Abstract

Background . Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders among children. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for ADHD in children. Method . In this case-control study, 404 children between 4 and 11 years old were selected by cluster sampling method from preschool children (208 patients as cases and 196 controls). All the participants were interviewed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist to survey risk factors of ADHD. Results . Among cases, 59.3% of children were boys and 38.4% were girls, which is different to that in control group with 40.7% boys and 61.6% girls. The chi-square showed statistically significance ( P value < 0.0001). The other significant factors by chi-square were fathers' somatic or psychiatric disease ( P value < 0.0001), history of trauma and accident during pregnancy ( P value = 0.039), abortion proceeds ( P value < 0.0001), unintended pregnancy ( P value < 0.0001), and history of head trauma ( P value < 0.0001). Conclusions . Findings of our study suggest that maternal and paternal adverse events were associated with ADHD symptoms, but breast feeding is a protective factor.