Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Risk factors for ADHD

Risk factors are things that may make it more likely that your child will get attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But it's important to realize that having a risk factor does not mean your child will definitely get ADHD. We know only that children who have ADHD are more likely to have these things.

Family history: A tendency to get ADHD can be passed on through families. If one member of your family has ADHD, then there is a greater chance that another member also will have it.

Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
National Institute of Health. 2003. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#cause (accessed 6 October 2008).

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Smoking during pregnancy: Mothers of children with ADHD are more likely to have smoked during their pregnancy than mothers of children without ADHD. One study estimated that smoking during pregnancy raised the risk of having a child with ADHD by around a third.

Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
National Institute of Health. 2003. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#cause (accessed 6 October 2008).

¹
Low birth weight: If your child's weight at birth was below average, then he or she has a greater chance of getting ADHD. For every four or five newborns weighing less than 52.5 ounces (about 3 pounds, 4 ounces), one will go on to develop ADHD. However, less than 1 in 10 children born at a normal weight will develop the condition.
Having surgery within the first month of life: This raises a child's risk, but only slightly.

Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
National Institute of Health. 2003. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#cause (accessed 6 October 2008).

¹

Source:
Bradley JD, Golden CJ.
Biological contributions to the presentation and understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a review.
Clinical Psychology Review. 2001; 21: 907-929.

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Sources for the information on this page:

National Institute of Mental HealthAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.National Institute of Health. 2003. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#cause (accessed 6 October 2008).

Bradley JD, Golden CJ.Biological contributions to the presentation and understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a review.Clinical Psychology Review. 2001; 21: 907-929.

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

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