Perinatal and Medical Risk Factors in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder or Specific Learning Disorder: Comparison Between Diagnostic Groups

Abstract

Introduction: Epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, including prenatal and early life exposures, are becoming as appealing as hereditary genes. This study aimed to investigate possible pre-pubertal environmental and developmental risk factors for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Specific Learning Disorder (SLD). Methods: The study included 98 children (24 ADHD, 24 SLD, 26 ASD, 20 controls) aged 7-12 years. The diagnostic evaluation was based on the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-age Children-present version. Parents completed socio-demographic data form for clinical evaluation, and The Wechsler Children's Intelligence scale was used to assess cognitive skills. Results: In our study, low parental education level, parental unemployment, low-income, and history of psychiatric disorders in first-degree relatives were associated with SLD risk, prematurity, and early self-regulation difficulties were associated with ASD risk, and history of allergy was associated with ADHD risk. Conclusion: In this study, the presence of many different risk factors that play a possible role in neurodevelopmental disorders suggests that further epigenetic studies arc needed.