Risk of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder in offspring of mothers with infections during pregnancy

Background Maternal infections during pregnancy are common events that have been suggested to be risk factors for Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. Only a few studies conducted date and results conflicting. The current study investigates the associations between specific groups of prenatal maternal offspring ADHD, considering timing exposure role fever. Methods We used data from prospective Norwegian Mother, Father Child Cohort Study (MoBa), including more than 112,000 pregnancies, linked with Medical Birth Registry Norway Patient estimate odds ratios likelihood children develop ADHD after being exposed gestation. Results Children any infection showed increased receiving an diagnosis (OR = 1.15, CI 1.03–1.27). Specifically, was observed genitourinary second 1.42, 1.06–1.90) or third trimester 2.04, 1.19–3.49), respiratory 1.31, 1.12–1.54), provided these were accompanied by episodes Increased also diarrhea without fever 1.25, 1.07–1.46). Conclusions Overall, our suggest infections, particularly co-occurring fever, ADHD. Fever (or severity infection) appears important mid-pregnancy associations. Our indicate type might influence associations, but small effect sizes require careful interpretations. association should estimated using discordant siblings other negative control designs give better adjustment unmeasured familial confounding.