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Listen up to this finding!

Attention disorder may be linked to premature birth

Premature babies and those with low birth weights are at significantly increased risk of developing the most severe form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a new research.

In comparing 834 premature and low-birth-weight babies with 20,100 normal ones born from 1980 to 1994, Danish researchers found that those with gestational ages of 34 to 36 weeks had a 70 per cent increased risk of the disorder compared with full-term infants, and those born before 34 weeks of gestation had almost triple the risk. Normal gestation age is 38 to 42 weeks.

Full-term, low-birth-weight babies were also at risk. Those who were born weighing 3.3 to 5.5 pounds had a 90 per cent increased risk of attention disorder, and those with birth weights of 5.5 to 5.7 pounds were one and a half times as likely as heavier infants to develop the illness. The results remained valid after controlling for the socio economic status of the parents, family history of psychiatric disorders, conduct disorders and maternal smoking during pregnancy.

"Our results are based on a study of associations," said Dr. Karen M. Linnet, the lead author and a paediatrician at Aarhus University Hospital.

NYT

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