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Psychiatric sequelae of low birth weight at 6 years of age

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Abstract

The study examined the association between low birth weight (LBW) (≤2,500 g) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in two socioeconomically disparate populations. LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) children from the 1983 to 1985 newborn lists of an urban and a suburban hospital in Southeast Michigan were randomly selected. A total of 823 children, 473 LBW and 350 NBW, participated. Data were gathered in 1990 to 1992, when the children were 6 to 7 years of age. The National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule for children—Parent version (DISC-P) was used to elicit information on DSM-III-R diagnoses of simple phobia, overanxious, separation anxiety, oppositional defiant, and ADHD. Teachers' ratings of behavior problems were obtained. LBW was associated with ADHD but not with childhood anxiety disorders or oppositional defiant disorder. The association was stronger in the urban than in the suburban population. Data from teachers' ratings revealed an association between LBW and attention problems. The prognostic significance of the observed psychopathology at 6 years of age requires follow-up assessment as the children mature.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, 48202, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Naomi Breslau, Gregory G. Brown, Jerel E. DelDotto & Patricia Andreski

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, 48202, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Savitri Kumar & Sudhakar Ezhuthachan

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuropsychology, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, 42202, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Gregory G. Brown & Jerel E. DelDotto

  4. Neonatal Follow-Up, William Beaumont Hospital, Troy, Michigan, USA

    Karen G. Hufnagle

  5. Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Naomi Breslau & Savitri Kumar

  6. Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Karen G. Hufnagle

  7. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Naomi Breslau

  8. Department of Psychiatry, Henry Ford Hospital, 1 Ford Place, 3A, 48202-3450, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Naomi Breslau

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  1. Naomi Breslau
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  5. Sudhakar Ezhuthachan
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  6. Patricia Andreski
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  7. Karen G. Hufnagle
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Additional information

This research was supported by NIMH research grant MH-44586 and NIMH Research Scientist Development Award MH-00380 to Dr. Breslau.

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Breslau, N., Brown, G.G., DelDotto, J.E. et al. Psychiatric sequelae of low birth weight at 6 years of age. J Abnorm Child Psychol 24, 385–400 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01441637

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01441637

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