The Relationship between Risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Low Birth Weight Children: A Systematic Review

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and its possible causes still attract controversy. Genes, pre and perinatal risks, psychosocial factors and environmental toxins have all been considered as potential risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between low birth weight (LBW), and ADHD in children. Methods: Systemic search of online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science direct, SID, Magiran databases and Google ScholarSearch Engine) for cross sectional, cohort studies published in 2005 to Jun 2019 that evaluated child ADHD with LBW. Study selection was done by two reviews. The keywords were selected based on the Mesh terms, which included ADHD, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Low birth weight and LBW which were combined by "OR" and "AND" Boolean operators. Result: Finally, 19 studies with 15 to 22 scores from STROBE checklist remained in the study for final assessment. Five studies evaluated relation between VLBW and ADHD, one study assessed relation between ELBW with ADHD and one study evaluated VLBW/ ELBW and ADHD. Researchers reported significant relationship in 7 studies between LBW and ADHD, 5 studies between VLBW and ADHD, and one study between ELBW and ADHD. Researchers reported no significant relationship in 5 studies between LBW and ADHD and one study between VLBW and ADHD. Conclusion: Birth weight seem to have decisive role in the development of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder in children. Specific prevention and management interventions needs to reduce the incidence of ADHD.