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Prenatal Maternal Infections and Children's Neurodevelopment in the UK Millennium Cohort Study: A Focus on ASD and ADHD.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Hall, Hildigunnur Anna  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8010-9687
Speyer, Lydia Gabriela 
Murray, Aja Louise 
Auyeung, Bonnie 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: No clear answer has yet been attained as to the influence of prenatal exposure to infection on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), either alone or as co-occurring issues. The current study examined links between hospital-recorded and maternal-reported prenatal infections and ASD, ADHD, and co-occurring ASD and ADHD. METHODS: Participants were n = 15,462 children and mother pairs from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), a population-representative UK sample. RESULTS: Findings show associations between maternal-reported infections and ASD, and some evidence of links with ADHD and co-occurring ASD and ADHD. Hospital-recorded infections were not found to be associated with ASD, ADHD, or their co-occurrence. Agreement between hospital-recorded and maternal-reported infections was low, which may explain the discrepant findings. CONCLUSION: Prenatal maternal infections may be associated with increased odds of ASD and ADHD. Findings point to the importance of drawing on multiple sources of information when ascertaining prenatal infection status.

Description

Keywords

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, pregnancy, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, United Kingdom

Journal Title

J Atten Disord

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1087-0547
1557-1246

Volume Title

26

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (813546)
university of edinburgh (Principal’s Career Development Scholarship)
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/N018877/1)
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/R500938/1)