Maternal smoking cessation in the first trimester still poses an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disability in offspring.

Background: Studies have found maternal smoking during pregnancy was linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk. It is unclear if maternal smoking cessation during pregnancy lowers ADHD and learning disability (LD) risk in offspring. This study aimed to explore the associations between maternal smoking cessation during pregnancy and ADHD and LD risk in offspring. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 (8,068 participants) were used. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between maternal smoking and smoking cessation during pregnancy and ADHD and LD risk in offspring. Results: Compared to non-smokers' offspring, maternal smoking during pregnancy increased the risk of ADHD (odds ratios [OR] = 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-2.56) and LD (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.61-2.31) in offspring, even if mothers quit smoking later (ORADHD = 1.91, 95%CIADHD: 1.38-2.65, ORLD = 1.65, 95%CILD: 1.24-2.19). Further analysis of the timing of initiation of smoking cessation during pregnancy revealed that, compared to non-smokers' offspring, maternal quitting smoking in the first trimester still posed an increased risk of ADHD (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.41-2.61) and LD (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06-2.17) in offspring. Maternal quitting smoking in the second or third trimester also had a significantly increased risk of ADHD (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.26-3.61) and LD (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.16-2.87) in offspring. Furthermore, maternal smoking but never quitting during pregnancy had the highest risk of ADHD (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.69-2.79) and LD (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.70-2.58) in offspring. Interestingly, a trend toward a gradual increase in the risk-adjusted OR for ADHD and LD risk was observed among the three groups: maternal quitting smoking in the first trimester, maternal quitting smoking in the second or third trimester, and maternal smoking but never quitting. Conclusion: Maternal smoking cessation in the first trimester still poses an increased risk of ADHD and LD in offspring. Furthermore, it seems that the later the mothers quit smoking during pregnancy, the higher the risk of ADHD and LD in their offspring. Therefore, early intervention of maternal smoking in preconception and prenatal care is vital for offspring neurodevelopment.

Prevalence of co-occurring diagnoses in people exposed to alcohol prenatally: Findings from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) commonly experience co-occurring diagnoses, which are often overlooked and misdiagnosed and have detrimental impacts on accessing appropriate services. The prevalence of these co-occurring diagnoses varies widely in the existing literature and has not been examined in PAE without an FASD diagnosis. METHOD: A search was conducted in five databases and the reference sections of three review papers, finding a total of 2180 studies. 57 studies were included in the final analysis with a cumulative sample size of 29,644. Bayesian modeling was used to determine aggregate prevalence rates of co-occurring disorders and analyze potential moderators. RESULTS: 82 % of people with PAE had a co-occurring diagnosis. All disorders had a higher prevalence in individuals with PAE than the general population with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorder, and intellectual disability (ID) being the most prevalent. Age, diagnostic status, and sex moderated the prevalence of multiple disorders. LIMITATIONS: While prevalence of disorders is crucial information, it does not provide a direct representation of daily functioning and available supports. Results should be interpreted in collaboration with more individualized research to provide the most comprehensive representation of the experience of individuals with PAE. CONCLUSIONS: Co-occurring diagnoses are extremely prevalent in people with PAE, with older individuals, females, and those diagnosed with FASD being most at risk for having a co-occurring disorder. These findings provide a more rigorous examination of the challenges faced by individuals with PAE than has existed in the literature, providing clinicians with information to ensure early identification and effective treatment of concerns to prevent lifelong challenges.

Comparison of self-esteem and quality of life in 8-12-year-old children with ADHD with and without learning disorders.

BACKGROUND: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders in school-aged children. Learning disorder (LD) is also one of the most important psychiatric disorders in children, which can often be associated with ADHD. In this study, we sought to compare self-esteem and quality of life in 8 to 12-year-old children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder with and without co-occurring learning disorders in order to emphasize the importance of attention and diagnosis in children with ADHD. METHOD: Among the 8- to 12-year-old outpatients referred to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic of Omid Babol Clinic, 120 children aged 8 to 12 years with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder whose disease was diagnosed by a child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialist. Among the tools used to collect information was the Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire by Wilcott et al. (CLDQ), five-scale self-esteem test of Pepe et al. (1989) for children and quality-of-life questionnaire for 8-12-year-old children (PedsQL). RESULTS: This study investigated self-esteem and quality of life in children with ADHD (n = 120, 51.7% boys). Children with ADHD and learning disabilities reported significantly lower self-esteem and quality of life compared to those with ADHD alone. CONCLUSION: Considering the relatively high probability of co-occurrence of ADHD and learning disorders, if one of them is diagnosed in a child, it is possible to look for other disorders in the child in order to avoid the more severe negative effects that this co-occurrence can have on the child by diagnosing it as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Cognitive Impairment Among Children With Atopic Dermatitis.

Importance: Previous studies suggest that atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with cognitive impairment in children, but these studies have relied primarily on neurodevelopmental diagnoses (rather than symptoms) as proxy measures of cognitive function. It remains unknown if certain subpopulations of children with AD are at greater risk of cognitive impairment. Objective: To examine the association of AD with symptoms of cognitive impairment (difficulty in learning or memory) among US children and whether this association varies according to the presence or absence of neurodevelopmental comorbidities (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], developmental delay, or learning disability). Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used 2021 data from the US National Health Interview Survey collected on children aged 17 years or younger without intellectual disability or autism. The presence of AD was based on a parent or adult caregiver's report indicating either a current diagnosis of AD or a previous medical confirmation of AD by a health care professional. Main Outcomes and Measures: Difficulty with learning or memory as reported by the child's caregiver. Results: Among the weighted total of 69 732 807 participants, 9 223 013 (13.2%) had AD. Compared with children without AD, children with AD were more likely to experience difficulties with learning (10.8% [95% CI, 7.8%-15.8%] vs 5.9% [95% CI, 5.1%-6.9%]; P < .001) and difficulties with memory (11.1% [95% CI, 8.0%-15.9%] vs 5.8% [95% CI, 4.9%-6.9%]; P < .001). In multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, asthma, food allergies, and seasonal allergies or hay fever, AD was associated with increased odds of difficulties in learning (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.77; 95% CI, 1.28-2.45) and memory (AOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.19-2.41). In analyses stratified by neurodevelopmental comorbidities, AD was associated with 2- to 3-fold greater odds of memory difficulties among children with any neurodevelopmental disorder (AOR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.43-3.57), including ADHD (AOR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.60-5.24) or learning disabilities (AOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.04-4.00). However, AD was not associated with learning or memory difficulties among children without neurodevelopmental conditions. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that pediatric AD was generally associated with greater odds of reported difficulties in learning and memory. However, this association was primarily limited to children with neurodevelopmental comorbidities, such as ADHD or learning disabilities. These findings may improve the risk stratification of children with AD for cognitive impairments and suggest that evaluation for cognitive difficulties should be prioritized among children with AD and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Academic performance in moderately and late preterm children in the United States: are they catching up?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preterm birth of 32-36 6/7 weeks gestation affected school performance from kindergarten through fifth grade. STUDY DESIGN: We assessed 14350 term infants and 1195 32-36 6/7 weeks gestation infants followed in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten 2011 cohort for classroom performance in kindergarten-fifth grade. Multivariable regression was performed for comparisons, and data were weighted to be representative of the US population. RESULTS: Children born 35-36 6/7 weeks gestation had no significant difference in their academic scores or performance, while 32-34 6/7 weeks' children had lower academic scores and teacher performance scores when compared to term children. Children born between 32 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation had higher odds of individualized education plan needs and had learning disability diagnoses compared to term children. CONCLUSIONS: Children born between 32 and 34 6/7 weeks gestation have poor school performance compared to term children. Children born between 32 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation are at risk for learning disabilities and likely benefit from continued support and services to improve achievement throughout school.

Health inequalities for people with learning disabilities: why it matters and what emergency physicians need to know.

People with learning disabilities die on average 16 years earlier than the general population in England. They are a vulnerable group and may have unhealthy lifestyles and multimorbidity that lead to poor health outcomes. Worryingly, premature deaths are also more common and these often have contributory healthcare causes. This may be a result of staff lacking awareness, expertise and experience managing people with learning disabilities, the lack of reasonable adjustments, or discriminatory attitudes. Other issues include polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing of sedatives, inappropriate use of do not resuscitate orders, and diagnostic overshadowing leading to delayed or misdiagnoses. Emergency physicians need to be aware of subtle or atypical presentations of illnesses such as sepsis. Carers and family can be vital informants, helping clinicians to interpret subtle signs and aid communication with people with learning disabilities. One simple approach to reasonable adjustments, as required by law, is the TEACH mnemonic: people with learning disabilities need more time (T), in a conducive environment (E), with clinicians approaching them with the right attitude (A) and an open mind. Good communication (C) is essential and clinicians must make every attempt to understand their patients and to be understood by their patients. Finally clinicians need to consider what 'help' (H) the patient and their carers or family needs. With the right approach, time and environment, emergency physicians can optimise the care delivered to people with learning disabilities to address their needs.

Disability Acceptance and Affirmation Among U.S. Adults With Learning Disabilities and ADHD.

Personal disability identity is a predictor of psychosocial functioning among adults with predominantly physical disabilities. In the present study, we examined personal disability identity in adults with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In samples of 541 adults with LD, 475 with ADHD, and 433 with comorbid LD and ADHD, we examined the structural validity of disability acceptance and disability affirmation scores and the association between these scores and anxiety/depression, life satisfaction, and general self-efficacy. Factor analyses supported a 4-item disability acceptance and 3-item disability affirmation scale in LD-only and ADHD-only samples. Among adults with LD or ADHD, disability affirmation was a meaningful predictor of life satisfaction, and disability acceptance predicted general self-efficacy. Disability identity attitudes are worthy of clinical and scholarly attention in adults with LD and ADHD, and adults with comorbid LD and ADHD may warrant special consideration in the personal disability identity literature.

A Register Study Suggesting Homotypic and Heterotypic Comorbidity Among Individuals With Learning Disabilities.

The present study examined whether learning disabilities (LD) in reading and/or math (i.e., reading disability [RD], math disability [MD], and RD+MD) co-occur with other diagnoses. The data comprised a clinical sample (n = 430) with LD identified in childhood and a sample of matched controls (n = 2,140). Their medical diagnoses (according to the International Classification of Diseases nosology) until adulthood (20-39 years) were analyzed. The co-occurrence of LD with neurodevelopmental disorders was considered a homotypic comorbidity, and co-occurrence with disorders or diseases from the other diagnostic categories (i.e., mental and behavioral disorders, diseases of the nervous system, injuries, other medical or physical diagnoses) was considered a heterotypic comorbidity. Both homotypic and heterotypic comorbidity were more common in the LD group. Co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders were the most prominent comorbid disorders, but mental and behavioral disorders, diseases of the nervous system, and injuries were also pronounced in the LD group. Accumulation of diagnoses across the diagnostic categories was more common in the LD group. No differences were found among the RD, MD, and RD+MD subgroups. The findings are relevant from the theoretical perspective, as well as for clinical and educational practice, as they provide understanding regarding individual distress and guiding for the planning of support.

Design, Implementation and Evaluation of an Innovative Pilot Intervention to Improve the Family Quality of Life of Children with Specific Learning Disabilities-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The high prevalence of learning disabilities among children confirm that learning disabilities are surprisingly common. In the absence of routine screening, many children still go undetected with a huge individual and family burden, while at the same time, the findings of existing interventions are conflicting. This study reports on the design, implementation and evaluation of an innovative pilot intervention aiming at improving the quality of life of the family of children with specific learning disabilities. Method: For the purposes of this study, we ran a randomized controlled trial employing an experimental research design with two groups (intervention and control). The study population comprised parents of children with specific learning disabilities. Out of the 71 individuals that were eligible for randomization, 42 were allocated to the intervention, and 29 to the control group. A brief parenting intervention model was employed, aiming at improving parenting skills through a stepwise process. The intervention included four skill building sessions conducted over a period of 6 weeks. "Parenting style" (including three dimensions: "Authoritative", "Authoritarian" and "Permissive") and "Family Quality of life" (including five dimensions: "Family Interaction", "Parenting", "Emotional Well-being", "Physical/Material Wellbeing" and "Disability-Related Support") were employed as the outcome measures of this study. Two validated questionnaires were used to measure the study outcomes: "the Parenting Style Questionnaire" and the "Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOL) Questionnaire". The questionnaires were applied at the pre- and post-intervention level. Findings: An analysis showed that except for the "permissive parenting style", the intervention and control group had statistically significant differences in all the "Parenting style" and the "Quality of life" dimensions at the post-intervention level. In the intervention group, none of the study dimensions improved at a statistically significant level at the post-intervention level compared to pre-intervention level. According to the cluster analysis, which re-examined successful vs. unsuccessful cases, the intervention was found to have an effect on the average values of all the "quality of life" and "parenting style" dimensions, except for the "Authoritarian Parenting Style". Conclusions: The study offers evidence on the dimensions of parenting and quality of life mostly affected by a brief intervention as well as on the feasibility, practicality and acceptance of such interventions in local communities.

Transition for adolescents with learning disabilities and an immunodeficiency.

Many adolescents with immunodeficiency are diagnosed with a comorbid learning disability. The process of transition from paediatric to adult healthcare for these individuals occurs with a range of additional challenges. Due to the lack research available on immunodeficiency specifically, this article addresses a number of recommendations from the research undertaken with individuals with other chronic health conditions and learning disability. The research suggests that for individuals with learning disabilities autonomy and independence needs to be acknowledged despite their perceived need for increased input from parents and medical professionals. Instead, medical professionals could prioritise their relationship with the adolescent patient by ensuring communication needs are met and that a sense of continuity between paediatric and adult services is maintained. Families can be supported through psychological interventions which provide skills to allow family members to empower their young adult with a learning disability. Specific tools to help the transition process run more smoothly are also recommended and have proven to be effective in other parts of the world.

Prevalence and trends of developmental disabilities among US children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years, 2018-2021.

Developmental disabilities prevalence seem to be high in countries around the world. It's worth understanding the most recent prevalence and trends of developmental disabilities. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and trends of developmental disabilities of US children and adolescents. A total of 26,422 individuals aged 3-17 years were included. Annual data were examined from the National Health Interview Survey (2018-2021). Weighted prevalence for each of the selected developmental disabilities were calculated. The prevalence of any developmental disabilities in individuals was 16.65% (95% CI 16.03-17.26%), prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability (LD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and other developmental delay were 9.57% (95% CI 9.09-10.06%), 7.45% (95% CI 7.00-7.89%), 2.94% (95% CI 2.67-3.21%), 1.72% (95% CI 1.51-1.93%), and 5.24% (95% CI 4.89-5.59%), respectively. Significant increases were observed for other developmental delay (4.02-6.05%) and co-occurring LD & ID (1.03-1.82%). Findings form this study highlight a high prevalence of any developmental disabilities, although no significant increase was observed. The prevalence of other developmental delay and co-occurring LD & ID were significantly increased. Further investigation is warranted to assess potentially modifiable risk factors and causes of developmental disabilities.

Tessituras da adolescência na pandemia: demandas psicossociais de um CAPSi / Adolescence structures in the pandemic: psychosocial demands of a CAPSi Center / Tesituras de la adolescencia en la pandemia: demandas psicosociales de un CAPS

A pandemia da Covid-19 afetou, drasticamente, o campo social. O público adolescente, por apresentar um caráter específico do desenvolvimento, também é atravessado na pandemia. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar e descrever quais as demandas de atenção psicossocial que emergiram nos acolhimentos em um CAPSi de um município do interior do estado do Rio Grande do Sul na pandemia no período da adolescência. O método utilizado foi o modelo quali-quantitativo, de caráter descritivo e exploratório. Os resultados das demandas psicossociais que mais apareceram foram: comportamento suicida, ansiedade, heteroagressividade, autoagressividade, conflitos familiares e dificuldades de aprendizagem. Através do estudo pode-se perceber os atravessamentos que a pandemia da Covid-19 reverberou no público adolescente acolhido neste CAPSi, e o que essas demandas mostram sobre as questões de saúde mental no cenário pandêmico. (AU)

The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically affected the social field. Adolescents, as they present a specific character of development, are also affected by the pandemic. The objective of this research was to identify and to describe the psychosocial care demands that emerged in the receptions at a CAPSi, a Child and Youth Psychosocial Care Center, in a municipality in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in the pandemic, during the adolescence period. The method used was the qualitative-quantitative model, with a descriptive and exploratory character. The results of the psychosocial demands that appeared the most were: suicidal behavior, anxiety, heteroaggression, self-aggression, family conflicts and learning difficulties. Through the study, it is possible to perceive the crossings that the Covid-19 pandemic reverberated in the adolescent public hosted in this CAPSi, and what these demands show about mental health issues in the pandemic scenario. (AU)

La pandemia del Covid-19 afectó, drásticamente, al campo social. El público adolescente, por presentar un carácter específico del desarrollo, también se ve afectado en la pandemia. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar y describir cuales las demandas de atención psicosocial que surgieron en las acogidas en un CAPSi de un municipio del interior del estado de Rio Grande do Sul en la pandemia en el periodo de la adolescencia. El método utilizado fue el modelo cuali-cuantitativo, de carácter descriptivo y exploratorio. Los resultados de las demandas psicosociales que más aparecieron fueron: comportamiento suicida, ansiedad, heteroagresividad,auto agresividad,conflictos familiares y dificuldates de aprendizaje. A través del estudio se puede percibir los atravesamientos que la pandemia del Covid-19 reverberó en el público adolescente acogido en este CAPSi, y lo que esas demandas muestran sobre las cuestiones de salud mental en el escenario pandémico. (AU)

Prevalence and Trends in Diagnosed Learning Disability Among US Children and Adolescents From 1997 to 2021.

This cross-sectional study uses data from the National Health Interview Survey to examine the prevalence of and trends in diagnosed learning disability among US children and adolescents from 1997 to 2021.

Dissociative Trait as a Mediator of Problematic Internet Use in Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities.

PURPOSE: This study used data from a national birth cohort study to investigate the duration of internet use at the age of 12 years among children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities (IDs) and learning disabilities (LDs) at the age of five and a half years (66 months) to understand whether an ADHD, ASD, ID and LD diagnosis in childhood increases the risk of problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescence. Furthermore, the pathway relationship of dissociative absorptive trait with PIU and these diagnoses was also investigated. METHODS: The 5.5- and 12-year-old Taiwan Birth Cohort Study dataset was used (N = 17,694). RESULTS: More boys were diagnosed with LDs, IDs, ADHD and ASD; however, girls were at increased likelihood of PIU. ID and ASD diagnoses were not associated with increasing PIU likelihood. However, children who had been diagnosed with LDs and ADHD, along with higher dissociative absorptive trait, had an indirectly increased likelihood of PIU in adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: Dissociative absorption was found to be a mediating factor between childhood diagnosis and PIU and can be used as a screening indicator in prevention programs to reduce the duration and severity of PIU in children diagnosed with ADHD and LDs. Furthermore, with the increased prevalence of smartphone usage in adolescents, education policy-makers should pay greater attention to the issue of PIU in female adolescents.

The impact of COVID-19 on residents of long-term care facilities with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations including those with learning disabilities. Assessing the incidence and risk of death in such settings can improve the prevention of COVID-19. We describe individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 while residing in care homes for learning disabilities and/or autism and investigate the risk of death compared with individuals living in their own homes. Methods: Surveillance records for COVID-19 infections in England from 02 February 2020 to 31 March 2022 were extracted. Data on property type, variant wave, vaccination, hospitalisation and death were derived through data linkage and enrichment. Care home residents with learning disabilities and/or autism and diagnosed with COVID-19 were identified and analysed, and logistic regression analyses compared the risk of death of individuals living in private residence. We assessed interaction parameters by post-estimation analyses. Results: A total of 3501 individuals were identified as diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 whilst living in 632 care home properties for learning disabilities and/or autism. Of the 3686 episodes of infection, 80.4% were part of an outbreak. The crude case fatality rate was 2.6% and 0.6% among care home residents with autism and/or learning disabilities and their counterparts in households, respectively.The post-estimation analyses found over eight times the odds of death among care home residents in 60 years old compared with their counterparts living in private homes. Conclusions: Care home residents with learning disabilities and/or autism have a greater risk of death from COVID-19. Optimising guidance to meet their needs is of great importance.

Hospital admissions of school-age children with an intellectual disability: A population-based survey.

AIM: To describe the profiles of hospital admissions of school-age children identified with a learning disability (ICD-11 intellectual developmental disorder) and/or safeguarding needs compared to children without learning disability, in a population where proactive identification of learning disabilities in children is embedded in practice. METHOD: Data were collected about the reasons for and duration of hospital admissions of school-age children living in the study catchment area between April 2017 and March 2019; the presence (or absence) of learning disability and/or safeguarding flags in the medical record was also noted. The impact of the presence of flags on the outcomes was explored using negative binomial regression modelling. RESULTS: Of 46 295 children in the local population, 1171 (2.53%) had a learning disability flag. The admissions of 4057 children were analysed (1956 females; age range 5-16 years, mean 10 years 6 months, SD 3 years 8 months). Of these, 221 out of 4057 (5.5%) had a learning disability, 443 out of 4057 (10.9%) had safeguarding flags, 43 out of 4057 (1.1%) had both, and 3436 out of 4057 (84.7%) had neither. There was a significantly increased incidence of hospital admissions and length of stay in children with either or both flags, compared to children with neither. INTERPRETATION: Children with learning disabilities and/or safeguarding needs have higher rates of hospital admissions than children without. Robust identification of learning disabilities in childhood is required to make the needs of this group visible in routinely collected data as the first step towards needs being appropriately addressed. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Children with learning disabilities must be consistently identified in populations so that their needs are made visible. Information about these needs must be collected from educational, health, and social care sources and scrutinized systematically. Children with learning disabilities and safeguarding needs have an increased incidence of hospital admissions and length of stay.

Maternal age at childbirth and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disability in offspring.

Background: Studies have shown that young maternal age at childbirth can increase the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring, but a study of the U.S. population has not been reported. Moreover, there is no reported research on young and advanced maternal age at childbirth and whether it can contribute to the risk of learning disability (LD) in offspring. Methods: This study evaluated the association between young and advanced maternal age at childbirth and offspring risk of ADHD and LD in the U.S. population. Using data from 8,098 participants included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in 1999-2004, we analyzed the association between maternal age at childbirth and ADHD and LD risk in offspring. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for maternal age at childbirth in association with ADHD and LD risk in offspring were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models after adjustment for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), poverty income ratio, smoking status during pregnancy, and NHANES cycle. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to evaluate potential non-linear relationships. Sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the reliability of the results. Results: Among all participants, the offspring of subjects with a maternal age at childbirth of 18-24 years had an increased risk of ADHD (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.79) and LD (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.79) or either ADHD or LD (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.81). Additionally, compared with subjects with a maternal age at childbirth of 25-29 years, subjects with a maternal age at childbirth of 35-39 years had lower odds of having offspring with ADHD (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36, 1.00) and higher odds of having offspring with LD (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.78). The relationship between maternal age at childbirth and LD risk presented a U-shaped curve. Conclusions: These results provide epidemiological evidence showing that young and advanced maternal age at childbirth are associated with ADHD and LD risk.

Nutritional Status and Feeding Problems in Pediatric Specific Learning Disability.

This cross-sectional study aims to determine the feeding problems and nutritional status of children diagnosed with specific learning disability (SLD), which is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders. Sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, and food consumption records of 76 children (38 boys and 38 girls) diagnosed with SLD were obtained by applying a questionnaire. The Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale was used to determine the feeding problems of children. About 31.6% of children with SLD are overweight and obese. Feeding behavioral problems were found in 39.5% of the children with SLD. Binary logistic regression analysis showed a significantly higher frequency of feeding behavior problems in children with SLD: (1) lower body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.841, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.722-0.979), (2) lower tri-ponderal mass index (AOR: 0.738, 95% CI: 0.585-0.933), (3) lower upper middle arm circumference (AOR: 0.772, 95% CI: 0.649-0.918),and (4) lower triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) (AOR: 0.890, 95% CI: 0.808-0.980). In this study, feeding behavior problems are common in children diagnosed with SLD. Therefore, identifying feeding behavior problems in children diagnosed with SLD and developing solutions specific to the problem are important for gaining healthy eating habits throughout life.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Reading and Mathematics Achievement for Students With Learning Disabilities.

We examined to what extent subgroups of students identified with learning disabilities (LDs; N = 630) in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998 to 1999 (ECLS-K): 1998 national longitudinal study displayed heterogeneity in longitudinal profiles of reading and mathematics achievement from first to eighth grades. Multivariate growth mixture modeling yielded four classes of combined reading and mathematics trajectories for students with LD. The largest class of students with LD (Class 2, 54.3%) showed mean T-scores for both achievement domains that averaged about 1 SD below the mean, with modest decline over time. Almost a quarter of the sample (Class 1, 22.3%) displayed mean T-scores in both achievement areas near the peer-normed average; these students were mostly White, from higher socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, and had experienced earlier identification as having an LD as well as shorter duration of LD service. Classifying heterogeneity in longitudinal trajectories of both achievement areas shows promise to better understand the educational needs of students identified with an LD.