"Exposure to infections (for example, rubella), toxins (for example, lead, very high levels of alcohol), and certain medications (for example, thalidomide) in the womb adversely affects the developing fetus. As ADHD onsets early in development, it is unsurprising that there has been so much interest in the effects of intrauterine exposures on the risk of ADHD as well as other neurodevelopmental conditions.(1)"
"Although many observational studies include measured confounders in their analyses (for example, maternal mental health, socio-economic status), it is impossible to measure or include every possible confounder. Unmeasured or residual confounding always remains a possibility. Confounders also can include genetic and family-level influences. For example, genetic liability to ADHD could influence pregnancy health in the mother and increase the risk for ADHD in offspring."
Exposure to infections, toxins, and certain medications in utero can harm fetal development. ADHD's early onset has driven interest in whether intrauterine exposures alter neurodevelopmental risk. Large observational studies and meta-analyses report associations between prenatal factors—such as maternal cigarette smoking, antidepressant use, and acetaminophen—and offspring ADHD. Association is not causation. Observed links can result from confounding, including unmeasured or residual confounders and genetic or family-level influences. Genetic liability to ADHD might affect maternal pregnancy health and thereby elevate offspring risk. Many studies adjust for measured confounders, but complete adjustment is impossible, leaving causal inference uncertain.
Read at Psychology Today
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