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Low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the available evidence on the association between low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and the development of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in the offspring.

Methods

We systematically reviewed and meta-analysed studies reporting an association between low and/or moderate PAE and offspring ADHD symptoms (attention and/or hyperactivity). Systematic searches were performed in EMBASE, Pubmed, Medline, and PsycINFO and reviewed from selected references. Random effects modelling was conducted to pool adjusted odds ratios (OR) in different alcohol consumption levels (≤ 20 g/week, ≤ 50 g/week, and ≤ 70 g/week). Stratified analysis by sex per alcohol level was conducted to investigate the difference on OR and the magnitude between-study heterogeneity.

Results

Ten studies were included in the systematic review and six in the meta-analysis. Eight studies found no association and two studies suggested an apparent protective effect of low PAE in hyperactivity/inattention symptoms in boys. These results were confirmed by the meta-analysis showing no association between ≤ 20 g/week [OR 1.01 (0.68–1.49)], ≤ 50 g/week [OR 0.94 (0.85–1.03)] and ≤ 70 g/week [OR 0.94 (0.86–1.02)] and ADHD symptoms, with no evidence of publication bias. Stratified analysis by sex for a PAE ≤ 50 g/week exposed less risk of ADHD symptoms in boys compared to girls [OR 0.89 (0.83–0.96)].

Conclusions

We found no increased risk of ADHD symptoms in offspring born to mothers who drank alcohol up to 70 g/week.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Sean Mitchel for proof reading the final version of the document.

Funding

MSMP is funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA). JCM is funded by The University of Queensland International Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), The University of Queensland, Long Pocket Precinct Level 2, Cycad Building (1018) 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly, Brisbane, QLD, 4068, Australia

    Macarena San Martin Porter, Joemer Calderon Maravilla & Rosa Alati

  2. School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Kim Steven Betts & Rosa Alati

Authors
  1. Macarena San Martin Porter
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  2. Joemer Calderon Maravilla
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  3. Kim Steven Betts
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  4. Rosa Alati
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Contributions

MSMP: project development, manuscript writing/editing, data extraction, and data interpretation. JCM: data extraction, data analysis, data interpretation, and manuscript writing/editing. KSB: data interpretation and manuscript writing/editing. RA: project development, data interpretation, and manuscript writing/editing.

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Correspondence to Macarena San Martin Porter.

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San Martin Porter, M., Maravilla, J.C., Betts, K.S. et al. Low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 300, 269–277 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05204-x

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