Short summary

The development of psychiatric disorders is widely accepted to be understood in a bio-psycho-social framework. The first 2-3 years of life is known to be a unique period for neurodevelopment, and multiple different factors in children's life is influencing this development. Identifying children at risk and factors influencing development is essential for early intervention. We study how different biological and environmental factors from pregnancy to school age affect the development of ADHD. 

Rationale

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset disorder and one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders, with an increasing number of children being diagnosed during the last 20 years. Also the number of very young children being referred on suspicion of ADHD is rising. The symptoms of ADHD must be understood in terms of underlying developmental processes and by detecting multiple risk and protective factors that transact to impact its development early in life, it might be possible to alter the pathogenesis of ADHD, and thus prevent or moderate the course of the disorder. Among children under the age of 4 years the diagnostic criteria are more uncertain and children often present with general dysregulation. 

The aim of this study is to identify if hereditary disposition in combination with a wide range of biological and social factors (prenatal, antenatal and in the beginning of life), is associated with a higher prevalence of dysregulations problems at age 2½ years. Children will be re-assessed at age 5 years to examine factors moderating outcome (ADHD and other mental disorders)

Description of the cohort

Children and families in this study participate in the prospective Odense Child Cohort. The Cohort has included 2490 families, with a total of 2538 children. During pregnancy and in the first 5 years, participants have on a regular basis filled in questionnaires and donated biological material. 

Data and biological material

Data from Odense Child Cohort.

Data on child development is provided from the Municipality.

Data on parental psychiatric diagnosis, from the National patients Registers. 

Information on children's mental health problems are collected with a questionnaires " Child Behavioural Checklist" and "Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional".