Pre-, peri-, and postnatal trauma in subjects with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To review research on pre-, peri-, and postnatal stress and their potential relation to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
We selected and critically reviewed 51 research reports from the medical and psychology literature, between January 1, 1976 and May 1, 2001, based on the subjects of pre-, peri-, or postnatal stress and ADHD.


RESULTS
Children with ADHD show higher percentages of pre-, peri-, or postnatal insult, compared with unaffected children; however, the relative influence of various factors is still controversial.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiology of ADHD encompasses genetic and environmental factors. Pre-, peri-, and postnatal stressors are environmental factors that may play a role in its etiology. Future research should carefully examine interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors as etiologies of ADHD.
Zappitelli
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
Pinto
T
T
Grizenko
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications*