Endocrine Abstracts

Background: There is preliminary evidence that prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) is a risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Vitamin D deficiency during critical periods of development could lead to persistent brain alterations. Some studies support the hypothesis that prenatal Testosterone exposure contributes to the development of ADHD in children. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis, that presence of prenatal maternal stress, increased level of prenatal testosterone and low level of D3 vitamin in pregnancy is associated with the development of the ADHD like symptoms in toddlers (< 2 years). Materials and MethodsA population cohort of 53 pregnant women was recruited at their 35 to 37th week of pregnancy and investigated prospectively. The participants were selected through targeted selection. Maternal experience of stressful life events was assessed by stress standardized questionnaires, prenatal testosterone was determined in mothers’ saliva by using radioimmunoassay and maternal plasma D vitamin was measured using ECLIA method, during pregnancy. When offsprings age was 6 month and then less than 2 years, mothers completed the child behavior and temperament checklist.

Results: the testosterone level was increased only in 26% and D3 Vitamin deficiency revealed in 44.4% of study groupparticipants.There was statistically significant difference between degrees of level of maternal stress, in study group pregnant women was more pronounced high and moderate stress levels compared to the control group. A small but statistically significant association was found between common symptom complex of ADHD and the level of testosterone and Vitamin D3, in the presence of prenatal maternal stress. Multiple regression analysis showed that maternal stressful events during pregnancy significantly predicted ADHD behaviors in offspring.

Conclusion: The study supported the hypothesis that prenatal maternal stress, increased level of prenatal testosterone and low level of D3 vitamin during pregnancy increases the risk of development of ADHD like symptoms in toddlers (<2 years).