Association of maternal diabetes during pregnancy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in offspring in an Iranian population: A case-control study

Background and aims: Gestational diabetes has long-term adverse consequences for both the mother and child and seems to be a risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, no research has been conducted in this regard in Iran. Methods: This was a case-control study. The sample consisted of 225 children who were referred to the general and psychiatric clinic of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj and were evaluated for a history of maternal diabetes in the fetal period. The diagnosis of ADHD in children was based on a structured clinical interview with Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL) by a psychiatrist and a short and revised form of Conners’ parent scale. The data were analyzed using Stata 14. Results: The results showed that 25.3% of the mothers of children with ADHD had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, and 17.3% were taking diabetes medication. However, the results revealed that there is no statistically significant relationship between the history of gestational diabetes and ADHD (P=0.427). Furthermore, the logistic regression results demonstrated that the place of residence (P<0.027, OR=8.351) increases the probability of suffering from ADHD in children, while the age of the mother during pregnancy (P<0.031, OR=0.907) decreases the probability of the child suffering from ADHD. Conclusion: Although cohort studies have associated gestational diabetes with an increased risk of ADHD in children, the results of this case-control study do not support this association.