A new study has found that women who become moms before the age of 20 are more likely to have a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Conducted by the University of South Australia, the study explored the genetic relationship between female reproductive traits and key psychiatric disorders, and concluded that a childâs risk of ADHD is strongly associated with their momâs age at first birth.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts a personâs ability to exert age-appropriate self-control. The disorder is often characterized by patterns of inattentiveness, impulsive or hyperactive behavior and poor regulation of emotions.
According to the Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is the most common psychiatric condition among children and adolescents in their Child Guidance Clinic in Singapore.
Using genetic data of 220,685 women via the UK Biobank, the study examined genetic correlations between five female reproductive traits, such as age at first birth, age at first sexual intercourse, age at first occurrence of menstruation, age at menopause, and number of live births and six common psychiatric disorders which include ADHD and schizophrenia.
ADHD is a highly heritable disorder
The study also found that ADHD is a highly heritable disorder which means that a young mother may also have the genes affecting ADHD risk which is then inherited by her child.Â
UniSA researcher, Associate Professor Hong Lee commented on how the new findings will better improve reproductive health in young moms and deliver better outcomes for their children.
âYoung moms can have it tough, especially as theyâre adjusting to becoming a parent while theyâre still young themselves."
"By understanding the links between becoming a mother at a young age and having a child with ADHD, weâre able to better educate and support families sooner.â
âADHD is treatable, but early diagnosis and interventions are key to a successful outcome,â he added.Â
However, he also cautioned moms that, âItâs important to understand that while there is a clear genetic link between ADHD and young mothers, this is not necessarily a causal relationship.â
This article was republished with permission from theAsianParent
theAsianparent is a publication under Tickled Media Pte Ltd. Started in September 2009, it is the largest parenting website in Southeast Asia, targeted at urban parents and parents-to-be who live in Asia or are of Asian heritage. theAsianparent speaks to every stage and priority of an Asian momâs journey â from pre-conception to pregnancy, to breastfeeding, and even how to raise smart, strong and kind children.
