Hyperactive Children Research Articles

Screen media exposure in pre-school children in Turkey: the relation with temperament and the role of parental attitudes.

Electronic media have become an important element in the lives of modern children. Devices like televisions, smartphones and tablets are widely used by some parents in order to manage hyperactive, stubborn and impulsive children who need high-intensity stimuli. Consequently, a child`s temperament and parental attitudes affect the duration and frequency of 3-7-year-old children`s screen (television-smartphone-internet) use. Based on this information, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the relation between screen media exposure, the child`s temperament and parental attitudes in 3-7-year-old children. The participants of this study were 210 children of 3 to 7 years of age. Rothbart`s Child Behavior List was used to assess temperament; the Parenting Attitude Research Instrument was used to determine the parental attitudes. Screen media exposure assessment questionnaire, which included questions about the age the child started using the TV, smartphone and/or internet, and the duration of their daily usage, were filled in with the children`s parents. It was found that the increase in activity level, approach and discomfort was negatively correlated to the age the child started watching television, while shyness was positively related to the same phenomenon. The scores of the discomfort temperament subscale had a direct relation to the duration of watching television. Background television is negatively related to attention, inhibitory control, and perceptual sensitivity. Dependency, marital conflict and strictness and authoritarianism parameters were found to be positively related to the duration of playing with a smartphone. Also, in this study we found that negative temperament characteristics adversely affected screen media exposure and poor parenting styles worsen this relationship. Both temperament and parenting styles affect screen media exposure. In addition, it was understood that parenting styles also affect the relation between temperament and screen exposure. Parental information programs on this subject can eliminate the lack of information related to early screen media exposure in preschool children.

Cтановлення та розвиток системи взаємодії сім’ї і школи у вихованні гіперактивних учнів

This article is generalized attempts by different scientists who has tried to identify the peculiarities of the cooperation as a social mechanism. The analysis of historical periods of work development with such families in secondary schools was carried out. The most scientists’ works and legislative acts of the specified period were analyzed. The main purpose of education and raising a hyperactive child was justified. It provides cooperation in interdependent activities in the system of relations between parents and teachers. The genesis of the families and schools’ cooperation in the education of hyperactive students has been investigated. In the course of investigation it was determined that the cooperation is based on help social institutions to each other and to a smart combination of opportunities and efforts in organizing the students’ life. It was allocated the main characteristics directions in the organization of families and schools’ cooperation in education of hyperactive students. The article finds that despite the fact that the problem of interaction between family and school in teaching and educating students does not belong to a new field of scientific knowledge and covers a wide academic environment, there is not enough scientific and pedagogical literature, which, given for its importance, can be used as a scientific foundation of modern pedagogical practices in the interaction of family and school in the social support of hyperactive students.

Impulsivity and Venturesomeness in an Adult ADHD Sample: Relation to Personality, Comorbidity, and Polygenic Risk.

While impulsivity is a basic feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), no study explored the effect of different components of the Impulsiveness (Imp) and Venturesomeness (Vent) scale (IV7) on psychiatric comorbidities and an ADHD polygenic risk score (PRS). We used the IV7 self-report scale in an adult ADHD sample of 903 patients, 70% suffering from additional comorbid disorders, and in a subsample of 435 genotyped patients. Venturesomeness, unlike immediate Impulsivity, is not specific to ADHD. We consequently analyzed the influence of Imp and Vent also in the context of a PRS on psychiatric comorbidities of ADHD. Vent shows a distinctly different distribution of comorbidities, e.g., less anxiety and depression. PRS showed no effect on different ADHD comorbidities, but correlated with childhood hyperactivity. In a complementary analysis using principal component analysis with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition ADHD criteria, revised NEO Personality Inventory, Imp, Vent, and PRS, we identified three ADHD subtypes. These are an impulsive–neurotic type, an adventurous–hyperactive type with a stronger genetic component, and an anxious–inattentive type. Our study thus suggests the importance of adventurousness and the differential consideration of impulsivity in ADHD. The genetic risk is distributed differently between these subtypes, which underlines the importance of clinically motivated subtyping. Impulsivity subtyping might give insights into the organization of comorbid disorders in ADHD and different genetic background.

Rolling out a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for parents of children with ADHD: a feasibility study.

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the single most frequent reason for attendance at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Ireland. Research has suggested that parents of children with ADHD experience more parenting stress than parents of non-clinical controls, yet routine treatment for ADHD rarely addresses parental well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been found to result in a reduction in parental stress. An adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention was delivered to parents (n = 23) of children with ADHD recruited from CAMHS and ADHD Ireland. Following the intervention a significant improvement was documented within the social relationships domain of quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and a significant reduction on the child hyperactivity scale of the Strengths and Difficulties (SDQ) questionnaire. This pilot study suggests that an MBSR intervention is both feasible and effective for parents whose children have ADHD. Larger scale studies need to be conducted before inclusion in routine CAMHS.

Genetically Informed Regression Analysis: Application to Aggression Prediction by Inattention and Hyperactivity in Children and Adults

We present a procedure to simultaneously fit a genetic covariance structure model and a regression model to multivariate data from mono- and dizygotic twin pairs to test for the prediction of a dependent trait by multiple correlated predictors. We applied the model to aggressive behavior as an outcome trait and investigated the prediction of aggression from inattention (InA) and hyperactivity (HA) in two age groups. Predictions were examined in twins with an average age of 10 years (11,345 pairs), and in adult twins with an average age of 30 years (7433 pairs). All phenotypes were assessed by the same, but age-appropriate, instruments in children and adults. Because of the different genetic architecture of aggression, InA and HA, a model was fitted to these data that specified additive and non-additive genetic factors (A and D) plus common and unique environmental (C and E) influences. Given appropriate identifying constraints, this ADCE model is identified in trivariate data. We obtained different results for the prediction of aggression in children, where HA was the more important predictor, and in adults, where InA was the more important predictor. In children, about 36% of the total aggression variance was explained by the genetic and environmental components of HA and InA. Most of this was explained by the genetic components of HA and InA, i.e., 29.7%, with 22.6% due to the genetic component of HA. In adults, about 21% of the aggression variance was explained. Most was this was again explained by the genetic components of InA and HA (16.2%), with 8.6% due to the genetic component of InA.

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Assessing the Toxic Levels in Parenting Behavior and Coping Strategies Implemented During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Assessing the Toxic Levels in Parenting Behavior and Coping Strategies Implemented During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cannabidiol attenuated the maintenance and reinstatement of extinguished methylphenidate-induced conditioned place preference in rats

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a mild CNS stimulant that has been used in hyperactive children, and patients with neurodegenerative and major depressive disorders. Exposure to MPH-associated cues enhances craving and arousal in drug users. On the other hand, cannabidiol (CBD) has antipsychotic potential that might be useful in alleviating symptoms of drug addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CBD administration on extinction and reinstatement of MPH-induced conditioning place preference (CPP) in rats. Male rats received MPH (1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg, i.p) or morphine (5 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.) during the conditioning phase. Following the establishment of CPP, during extinction training, 60 min prior to every CPP session, animals were given daily ICV CBD (10 or 50 μg/5 μL), vehicle alone (DMSO) 10 % or were treatment-naïve. On the reinstatement day animals after receiving the initial dose of MPH, 0.5 mg/kg, and were placed into the CPP box to evaluate the CPP scoring for 10-min. Our findings indicated that morphine (5 and 10 mg/kg; s.c.) and MPH (1 and 2.5 mg/kg; i.p.) induced a CPP. The ICV administration of both doses of CBD (10 and 50 μg/5 μL) prevented the reinstatement of MPH-induced CPP, which displayed shorter extinction latency compared to treatment-naïve or DMSO 10 % groups. Therefore, CBD’s site of action is a potential target for reducing the risk of MPH relapse; however, more investigation is required.

Adolescent empathic concern and perspective taking: Heterogeneous developmental trajectories and childhood social and psychological factors.

The joint developmental trajectories of empathic concern and perspective taking were examined across adolescence, along with childhood social and psychological predictors. Adolescents completed self-report measures of empathy annually from Grades 7 to 10 (i.e., ages 13 to 16; N=609; 53.9% girls; 76.2% White). Childhood social and psychological predictors were assessed in Grades 5 and 6 using self- and parent-reports. As predicted, the majority of individuals reflected a joint trajectory of moderate stable empathic concern and moderate increasing perspective taking (31.9%), followed by joint high increasing (17.2%) and joint low stable (7.4%) empathy. Fewer adolescents reflected joint trajectories of being high on one form of empathy but not the other (e.g., high empathic concern only, 1.6%; high increasing perspective taking only, 2.8%). High increasing perspective taking was a better indicator of high increasing empathic concern than the reverse. Higher childhood hyperactivity, higher bullying perpetration, and lower perceived school climate were prominent predictors of developing low levels of at least one form of empathy, but childhood anxiety was a predictor of developing high empathy. The skills and abilities associated with perspective taking and empathic concern should be promoted, with special attention paid to early indicators of affective, cognitive, and behavioral self-regulation.

Behavioral Outcomes in Children With an Orofacial Cleft in a National Study in New Zealand.

To determine whether children with an orofacial cleft have higher levels of behavioral problems than the general population and whether this differs by cleft phenotype. A cohort of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) born in New Zealand from January 1, 2000. Cleft clinics in New Zealand participating in a larger outcomes study between 2014 and 2017. Children (N = 378) aged 5 to 12 years of age and their parents. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scales 4.0 and Family Impact Module 2.0. Compared to standardized norms, children with a cleft had higher than expected (defined as 20%) levels of abnormal/borderline SDQ scores for conduct problems (27.4%, P = .0003) and peer relationship problems (31.6%, P < .0001) but lower than expected levels of problems with pro-social skills (6.3%, P < .0001). There were no significant differences by age-group and or cleft phenotype other than an increased risk of hyperactivity in children with CP compared to children with CL. Total difficulties SDQ scores had moderate correlations with the PedsQL. While over 90% of children with CL/P had normal prosocial skills, they may not be easily accepted by their peers which may result in behavioral problems. These concerns were moderately related to lower quality of life. Support for establishment and maintenance of peer relationships is important to address externalizing and peer difficulties in children with CL/P. Community knowledge and understanding of CL/P needs to continue to be promoted.

Designing a diagnosis? Reflections on design, medicalization, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Medicalization refers to the process by which ordinary human problems and experiences—such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and child hyperactivity—come to be defined and treated as distinct medical conditions. The growing influence of Western medicine (or ‘biomedicine’) in contemporary society has had a profound impact on people’s understanding of what it means to be ‘normal’, how they conceptualize and respond to illness, and perhaps even their understanding of life itself. Despite the increasing number of products, services, and interventions that extend the reach of medicine into everyday life, the concept of medicalization has received surprisingly little attention in the design literature. This article presents a single case study, a web design project called ‘Living Well with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)’, to provoke discussion around how design processes and practices are sometimes embroiled in the construction of new medical diagnoses, and the implications this might have for the emerging field of design for health. The research found that the website helped legitimize the MCI diagnosis by giving it form, despite ongoing debates about its use and validity in clinical practice.

Bullying Perpetration and Narcissistic Personality Traits across Adolescence: Joint Trajectories and Childhood Risk Factors.

Objectives: Although there is some evidence on the longitudinal associations between bullying perpetration and narcissistic personality traits, their joint developmental trajectories across early to late adolescence are largely unknown. Accordingly, we examined the co-development of bullying perpetration and narcissistic personality traits across adolescence and examined the childhood predictors of these joint trajectories.Method: Self-reports of bullying and narcissistic personality traits were assessed across 6 years of adolescence from Grade 7 (i.e., age 13) to Grade 12 (i.e., age 18) in a sample of 616 Canadian adolescents and childhood predictors were assessed in Grades 5 and 6.Results: As predicted, latent class growth analyses demonstrated that most adolescents were reflected in a trajectory of low decreasing bullying (82.0%) and a smaller group followed a moderate stable trajectory of bullying (18.0%). The majority of adolescents followed a moderate stable trajectory of narcissistic traits (56.3%), followed by a high increasing trajectory of narcissistic traits (22.8%), and a low decreasing trajectory of narcissistic traits (20.9%). Six percent of adolescents followed a high-risk dual trajectory of moderate stable bullying and high increasing narcissistic traits (high-risk group). Also as predicted, higher hyperactivity, higher frustration, and lower anxiety in childhood differentiated the high-risk group from a low-risk group (low decreasing bullying and low decreasing narcissistic traits; 19.0%). Higher childhood hyperactivity also differentiated a group of adolescents who followed a trajectory of moderate stable bullying and moderate stable narcissistic traits (10.0%) from the low-risk group. Results showed that moderate stable bullying was a better indicator of high increasing and moderate stable trajectories of narcissistic personality traits than the reverse.Conclusions: Findings suggest adolescence is a time when personality and bullying reflect dynamic and heterogeneous development. Early intervention of childhood risk factors may help prevent a high-risk developmental course of bullying and narcissistic personality traits across adolescence.

A Hybrid of Structural Equation Modeling and Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Motorcyclists’ Injuries: A Conceptual Model in a Case-Control Study

Background:To model, the predictors of injuries caused the hospitalization of motorcyclists using a hybrid structural equation modeling-artificial neural network (SEM-ANN) considering a conceptual model.Methods:In this case-control study, 300 cases and 156 controls were enrolled using a cluster random sampling. The cases were selected among injured motorcyclists in refereed to Imam Reza Hospital and Tabriz Shohada Hospital, Tabriz, Iran since Mar 2013. The predictability of injury by motorcycle-riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ), Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) along with its subscales and motorcycle related variables was modeled using SEM-ANN. By SEM, linear direct and indirect relationships were assessed. To improve the SEM, the ANN was utilized sequentially to account for the nonlinear and interaction effects that is not supported by SEM.Results:The predictors of injury were: MRBQ, ADHD, and its subscales, marital status, education level, riding for fun, engine volume, hyper active child, dark hour riding, cell phone answering, driving license (All P less than 0.05). In addition, the findings reveal the Mediating role of MRBQ for the relationship between underlying predictors and injury. Furthermore, ANN showed higher specificity (95.45 vs.77.88) and accuracy (90.76 vs.79.94) than usual SEM which lead us to introduce the second and third order effect of MRBQ into the modified SEM.Conclusion:The hybrid model provided results that are more accurate; considering the results of the modeling, having intervention programs on ADHD motorcyclists, those have the hyperactive child, and those who answer their cell phones while driving, and improving the motorcyclists’ goal is highly recommended.

The Effects of Inattention/Impulsivity and Aggression on the Development of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently co-occurs with additional symptoms of psychopathology and challenging behaviors. While aggressive behaviors are often associated with attention deficits and hyperactivity in children with ASD, there is limited research on the impact that inattention/impulsivity and aggressive behaviors have on the developmental functioning of toddlers with ASD. However, identifying comorbidities is necessary for proper intervention. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of inattention/impulsivity and aggressive behaviors on several domains of developmental functioning in infants and toddlers with ASD as measured by the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2). This study compared four groups consisting of 29 toddlers each: without inattention/impulsivity or aggressive behaviors (i.e., -I/-A), with inattention/impulsivity but without aggressive behaviors (i.e., + I/-A), without inattention/impulsivity but with aggressive behaviors (i.e., –I/ + A), and with both inattention/impulsivity and aggressive behaviors (i.e., + I/ + A). The results of the current study revealed significant group differences in Personal-Social, Communication, Motor, and Cognitive domains of the BDI-2. The significance and implications of the present study are discussed.

Prenatal exposure to trichlorinated biphenyls (PCB 18 and 28) is associated with child hyperactivity 8 years later

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure may be associated with neurodevelopmental problems, particularly hyperactivity and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In animal studies, exposure to PCBs increased hyperactivity, decreased dopamine in key brain regions, and PCB 28, 47, and 52 were found in those regions. Dopamine has also been implicated in the etiology of ADHD in humans. Most epidemiologic studies have relied on maternal blood rather than newborn blood to quantify prenatal PCB exposure, and neonatal levels might better reflect fetal exposure. Methods: Whole-blood concentrations of PCB congeners #8, 15, 18, 28, 52, 70, 95, 101, 138, and 153 were measured in the Upstate KIDS study, a population-based longitudinal study of children born in New York State between 2008-2010, using newborn dried blood spots (n=2610). PCBs were quantified (ng/mL) using gas chromatography-DFS high resolution mass spectrometry. Individual blood spots provided insufficient volume for assays, so pools of 5 were used, and individual values were derived from pools. Child hyperactivity symptoms (Mean=4.82, SD=5.13) were assessed by maternal report on the Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale when children were 8 years of age. Models were adjusted for child age, sex, and plurality, and maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, insurance status, marital status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, parity, and pregnancy smoking. Results: Each 1 ng/mL increase in PCB 18 and PCB 28 was associated with 3.63 (95%CI=0.42-6.84) and 4.08 (95%CI=0.61-7.55) more points in hyperactive behavioral ratings, respectively. Except for PCB 15, other PCBs also had positive but imprecise relations with hyperactivity. Conclusions: Levels of PCBs in newborn blood spots were associated with less than 1 standard deviation higher hyperactivity 8 years later. Even low-level prenatal exposure may have long-term behavioral consequences.

Does exposure to organophosphate esters during pregnancy increase the risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in offspring?

Background. Elevated organophosphate esters (OPEs) during pregnancy has been associated with hyperactivity and attention problems in children. Such behaviors are often found in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, no study has investigated OPEs in relation to clinically diagnosed ADHD.Aim. To evaluate associations between prenatal exposure to OPEs and ADHD diagnosis, in a case-cohort substudy of the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort.Methods. We identified 297 ADHD cases through the Norwegian patient registry and sampled a sub-cohort of 555 participants among the eligible population. Diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DnBP), bis(2-butoxyethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BBOEP), and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) were measured in urine collected at 17 gestational weeks. Binary exposure indicators were created for DPHP (cutoff: sub-cohort median), DnBP (limit of quantification, LOQ), BBOEP and BDCIPP (limit of detection, LOD). We estimated ORs using logistic regression, adjusting for the season of urine collection, child sex, birth year, maternal depression, maternal ADHD, and phthalate metabolite concentrations. Missing covariates were multiply imputed and estimates were pooled using Rubin’s rules. Effect measure modification by child sex was investigated.Results. DPHP was detected in nearly all samples (98%&gt;LOD), with a higher geometric mean among ADHD cases (0.70 ng/ml) as compared to the sub-cohort (0.52 ng/ml). DNBP was commonly detected as well (6%&lt;LOD; 39% LOD-LOQ; 55%&gt;LOQ), while BBOEP (51%&gt;LOD) and BDCIPP (21%&gt;LOD) were detected less frequently. Children whose mothers had above the median DPHP concentrations during pregnancy were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD (aOR: 1.41 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.99]). Similar positive associations were observed for BDCIPP (1.47 [0.99, 2.17]), but near-null associations were observed for DnBP (0.93 [0.67,1.30]) and BBOEP (1.05 [0.75, 1.45]). We did not observe strong evidence of modification by child sex.Conclusions. DPHP and BDCIPP exposure during pregnancy may increase the risk of ADHD in offspring.

ŠKOLSKI USPEH KOD DECE SA PONAŠANJIMA KARAKTERISTIČNIM ZA HIPERKINETIČKI POREMEĆAJ

U poslednjih nekoliko decenija istraživanja ukazuju na porast broja dece sa hiperkinetičkim poremećajem. Jedan od mnogih problema sa kojima se ova deca suočavaju je i niže školsko postiguće, uprkos prosečnoj inteligenciji. Ove rane poteškoće u obrazovanju često imaju dugoročno loše ishode – niži nivo obrazovanja i manju uspešnost u obavljanju zanimanja u odraslom dobu. Negativna iskustva u okviru školskog sistema imaju negativne uticaje i na odnose sa roditeljima, nastavnicima i vršnjacima, doprinose nižem samopouzdanju i emocionalnim poteškoćama. U radu smo ispitivali razlike u školskom postignuću između dece koja pokazuju ponašanja karakteristična za hiperkinetički poremećaj i dece koja ne ispoljavaju probleme u održavanju pažnje i hiperaktivnosti. Uzorak se sastojao od učiteljskih procena oko 800 učenika nižih razreda osnovnih škola. Učitelji su na skali IVJER procenjivali prisutnost simptoma prosečnom ocenom na polugodištu. Rezultati pokazuju da deca koja pokazuju ponašanja karakteristična za hiperkinetički poremećaj imaju statistički značajno niži školski uspeh u odnosu na decu bez simptoma (U=36025.0, p≤.001). Kada pogledamo razlike po podtipu hiperkinetičkog poremećaja, vidimo da deca sa ponašanjima karakterističnim za mešoviti i pretežno nepažljivi tip imaju niže školsko postignuće nego deca sa ponašanjima karakterističnim za pretežno hiperaktivni tip i deca bez simptoma (χ2=192.62, p≤.001). Naši rezultati ukazuju na to da nije hiperaktivnost, već problem pažnje ono što doprinosi nižem školskom uspehu.

The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive behavior in childhood: A meta-analysis

Current research has reported the beneficial effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on general domains of cognition and behavior among children. The present study is the first meta-analysis with controlled studies investigating the pre-post change effects of MBIs on two widely experienced behaviors in childhood education, namely inattentiveness and hyperactivity–impulsivity. With a special developmental focus on the early years, a total of 21 studies with 3- to 12-year-old children were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that MBIs decreased children’s overall inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive behavior with a small but significant effect size (k = 21, g+ = .38, p < .001). However, this overall positive effect was only significant when teachers rated children’s behavior and nonsignificant when parents and children themselves were the informants. Additionally, MBIs showed a moderate effect in reducing inattentiveness and hyperactivity–impulsivity for children at risk for such behavior. In conclusion, results indicate that MBIs, which are relatively easily applied in educational practice, have the potential to decrease inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive behavior and might contribute to children’s overall better functioning at school.

Association of Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure Measured in Meconium With Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Mediated by Frontoparietal Network Brain Connectivity

Despite evidence of an association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring, the drug is not contraindicated during pregnancy, possibly because prior studies have relied on maternal self-report, failed to quantify acetaminophen dose, and lacked mechanistic insight. To examine the association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure measured in meconium (hereinafter referred to as meconium acetaminophen) and ADHD in children aged 6 to 7 years, along with the potential for mediation by functional brain connectivity. This prospective birth cohort study from the Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, included 394 eligible children, of whom 345 had meconium samples collected at delivery and information on ADHD diagnosis. Mothers were enrolled from September 25, 2007, to September 10, 2009, at their first prenatal care visit or delivery and were followed up when children were aged 6 to 7 years. When children were aged 9 to 11 years, resting-state brain connectivity was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. Data for the present study were collected from September 25, 2007, to January 18, 2020, and analyzed from January 7, 2019, to January 22, 2020. Acetaminophen levels measured in meconium. Physician diagnosis of ADHD was determined at follow-up when children were aged 6 to 7 years or from medical records. Resting-state brain connectivity was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging; attention problems and hyperactivity were assessed with the Behavioral Assessment System for Children Parent Report Scale. Associations between meconium acetaminophen levels and outcomes were estimated with linear and logistic regressions weighted on the inverse probability of treatment to account for potential confounders. Causal mediation analysis was used to test for mediation of the association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and hyperactivity by resting-state brain connectivity. Among the 345 children included in the analysis (177 boys [51.3%]; mean [SD] age, 6.58 [0.54] years), acetaminophen was detected in 199 meconium samples (57.7%), and ADHD was diagnosed in 33 children (9.6%). Compared with no acetaminophen, detection of acetaminophen in meconium was associated with increased odds of ADHD (odds ratio [OR], 2.43; 95% CI, 1.41-4.21). A dose-response association was detected; each doubling of exposure increased the odds of ADHD by 10% (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.19). Children with acetaminophen detected in meconium showed increased negative connectivity between frontoparietal and default mode network nodes to clusters in the sensorimotor cortices, which mediated an indirect effect on increased child hyperactivity (14%; 95% CI, 1%-26%). Together with the multitude of other cohort studies showing adverse neurodevelopment associated with prenatal acetaminophen exposure, this work suggests caution should be used in administering acetaminophen during pregnancy. Research into alternative pain management strategies for pregnant women could be beneficial.

Associations of attention distractibility with attention deficit and with variation in the KTN1 gene

Attention distractibility in a low load visual search experiment with a rare irrelevant distractor could be an objective continuous measure in adulthood that correlates well with the symptoms of attention deficit throughout lifespan. This was studied using a birth cohort representative sample in a longitudinal study. The expected correlations were not found between the distractor cost measured in the experiment in adulthood and the inattention questionnaire scores from ages 15−33. However, the coefficient of variability for RT (CVRT) correlated negatively with self-reported motor restlessness (age 15) and attention deficit (age 25). We suggest that hyperactivity in childhood improved motor control at age 33. Associations with the gene KTN1 rs945270 (found to affect putamen size) were explored. CVRT, motor restlessness at age 15 and attention deficit scores at age 25 were especially low for male C-allele carriers. A possible association with the volume of putamen of individual participants is considered.