Studies show that there are risk factors for the ADHD development in children, and the list of the mental disorder causes gets longer year by year. The more such factors are determined, the earlier it is possible to diagnose ADHD in pediatric patients.
Timely diagnostics of the behavioral disorder allows initiating the ADHD treatment at an early stage, which helps eliminate many future problems in the child, for example, difficulties associated with:
- Upbringing in the family;
- Social interactions with peers;
Genetic heredity is one of the risk factors for the ADHD development, which is confirmed by the frequent diagnosis of this syndrome in twins, as well as among close relatives of hyperactive children.
Other causes that contribute to the development of the main symptoms of the behavioral disorder are linked with the status and behavior of parents, and the pregnancy course.
Family risk factors for ADHD:
- low social position of the family;
- intra-family conflicts, including between parents;
- mental disorders in a family member;
- alcoholism in one or both parents.
Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for ADHD:
- chronic fetal hypoxia;
- perinatal asphyxia;
- premature birth;
- smoking or alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Unpreparedness of parents for family life and the birth of a child can also have a negative impact over the child’s behavior.
Many studies show that the behavior disorder often occurs in children, who had a severe head injury in their early childhood. The organic disorder of the central nervous system is among the risk factors for the ADHD development in some patients.
Currently, the researchers are studying the genes that can be associated with the dysfunction of dopamine, a hormone that helps control emotions and movements. They are also studying the role of some neurotransmitters that affect the mood, such as serotonin, acetylcholine and glutamate.
It should also be noted that the ADHD symptoms were diagnosed in children, who had a family history of behavioral disorders. The risk factor for ADHD development may be the environment, in which a child’s childhood goes, as well as a combination of other factors that can contribute to the onset of this mental disorder.
- A certain concentration of organophosphate pesticides in the body can provide a negative impact on the child’s neurology and contribute to the development of ADHD.
Some experts believe that certain neurotoxic chemicals, including lead and some pesticides, may be risk factors for the development of ADHD. They argue that lead can contribute to the formation of inattention and impulsivity in children, which will eventually affect their behavior and schooling achievements in a negative way.
The Internet provides plenty of incorrect information related to the risk factors for the development of ADHD. The most common mistakes in indicating the causes of behavioral disorders in children are frequent TV watching, consumption of excessive amounts of sugar and passion for video games.