Intrauterine exposure to caffeine and inattention/overactivity in children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between intrauterine exposure to timing and sources of caffeine and inattention/overactivity, suggesting ADHD in the child.


METHODS
This study used prospectively collected data from the large population-based study, The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Participants were 25 343 mothers and their 18-month-old children. Mothers reported on consumption of a number of caffeine sources at the 17th week and 30th week of gestation, as well as child inattention/overactivity at 18 months. Data were analysed using univariate analyses of covariance (ancova).


RESULTS
Once we controlled for confounders, there was a small effect of caffeine intake at 17th week of gestation on inattention/overactivity combined, and both 17th and 30th week of gestation on overactivity, when investigated separately from inattention. Surprisingly, the caffeine effect was only found for soft drinks, not tea or coffee.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrauterine exposure to soft drinks rather than coffee, the traditional focus, is associated with maternal reports of overactive behaviour in children aged 18 months.
Bekkhus
M
M
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. mona.bekkhus@psykologi.uio.no
Skjøthaug
T
T
Nordhagen
R
R
Borge
A I H
AI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D002110:Caffeine