Parental prenatal depression and offspring ADHD: A genetically informed intergenerational study

Maternal prenatal depression has been associated with elevated levels of ADHD symptoms in offspring. This association could reflect detrimental effects of in-utero exposure to depression, but it could also be due to common... [ view full abstract ]

Maternal prenatal depression has been associated with elevated levels of ADHD symptoms in offspring. This association could reflect detrimental effects of in-utero exposure to depression, but it could also be due to common genetic influences underlying depression and ADHD. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether an effect of maternal prenatal depression could be demonstrated while controlling for intergenerational transmission of genetic risk.

In this study we use a children-of-twin design based on 17070 sibling pairs, their partners and their children participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Self-ratings of prenatal depression were obtained from both mothers and fathers using the Symptom Checklist in week 17 and 30 during pregnancy. Maternal ratings of ADHD symptoms using Conner’s Parent Rating Scale were obtained when the children were 5 years of age. Results will be presented at the conference.