title: Perinatal Pitocin as an early ADHD biomarker: neurodevelopmental risk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate a potential relationship between coincidental increases in perinatal Pitocin usage and subsequent childhood ADHD onset in an attempt to isolate a specific risk factor as an early biomarker of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maternal labor/delivery and corresponding childbirth records of 172 regionally diverse, heterogeneous children, ages 3 to 25, were examined with respect to 21 potential predictors of later ADHD onset, including 17 selected obstetric complications, familial ADHD incidence, and gender. ADHD diagnosis and history of perinatal Pitocin exposure distinguished groups for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed a strong predictive relationship between perinatal Pitocin exposure and subsequent childhood ADHD onset (occurring in 67.1% of perinatal Pitocin cases vs. 35.6% in nonexposure cases, χ(2)=16.99, p<.001). Fetal exposure time, gestation length, and labor length also demonstrated predictive power, albeit significantly lower.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings warrant further investigation into the potential link between perinatal Pitocin exposure and subsequent ADHD diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, c/o Alpine Behavior Therapy Clinic, 1918 South Lemay, Suite B, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA. Lisa.Kurth@ColoState.edu
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haussmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin