X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

New Research Finds Young Mums Have A Greater Chance Of Having A Child With ADHD

2 min read
New Research Finds Young Mums Have A Greater Chance Of Having A Child With ADHD

New Australian research has found that young mums below the age of 20 are at a higher risk of having a child with ADHD. Find out more here!

A new study has found that women who become mums before the age of 20 are more likely to have a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

Conducted by the University of South Australia (UniSA), the study explored the genetic relationship between female reproductive traits and key psychiatric disorders, and concluded that a child’s risk of ADHD is strongly associated with their mum’s age at first birth.

What is ADHD?

New Research Finds Young Mums Have A Greater Chance Of Having A Child With ADHD

Children with ADHD often have a hard time focusing. | Image source: iStock

ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder which impacts a person’s ability to exert age-appropriate self-control. The disorder is often characterised by patterns of inattentiveness, impulsive or hyperactive behaviour and poor regulation of emotions. 

According to the Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is the most common psychiatric condition amongst children and adolescents in their Child Guidance Clinic in Singapore.

Using genetic data of 220,685 women via the UK Biobank, the study examined genetic correlations between five female reproductive traits such as age at first birth, age at first sexual intercourse, age at first occurrence of menstruation, age at menopause, and the number of live births and six common psychiatric disorders which include ADHD and schizophrenia.

New Research Finds Young Mums Have A Greater Chance Of Having A Child With ADHD

Image source: iStock

The study also found that ADHD is a highly heritable disorder which means that a young mother may also have the genes affecting ADHD risk which is then inherited by her child. 

UniSA researcher, Associate Professor Hong Lee commented on how the new findings will better improve reproductive health in young mums and deliver better outcomes for their children.

“Young mums can have it tough, especially as they’re adjusting to becoming a parent while they’re still young themselves. By understanding the links between becoming a mother at a young age and having a child with ADHD, we’re able to better educate and support families sooner.”

“ADHD is treatable, but early diagnosis and interventions are key to a successful outcome,” he added. 

However, he also cautioned mums that, “it’s important to understand that while there is a clear genetic link between ADHD and young mothers, this is not necessarily a causal relationship.”

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

https://t.me/theAsianparentSG

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Shreya Jagdish

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • New Research Finds Young Mums Have A Greater Chance Of Having A Child With ADHD
Share:
  • This Mum Thought Her Son Had ADHD, How Wrong She Was!

    This Mum Thought Her Son Had ADHD, How Wrong She Was!

  • Over-critical Parenting May Be the Reason for Your Child's ADHD

    Over-critical Parenting May Be the Reason for Your Child's ADHD

  • Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

    Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

  • Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen Were Forced to Reveal Marriage When They Saw Media Waiting for Them at Rom

    Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen Were Forced to Reveal Marriage When They Saw Media Waiting for Them at Rom

  • This Mum Thought Her Son Had ADHD, How Wrong She Was!

    This Mum Thought Her Son Had ADHD, How Wrong She Was!

  • Over-critical Parenting May Be the Reason for Your Child's ADHD

    Over-critical Parenting May Be the Reason for Your Child's ADHD

  • Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

    Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

  • Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen Were Forced to Reveal Marriage When They Saw Media Waiting for Them at Rom

    Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen Were Forced to Reveal Marriage When They Saw Media Waiting for Them at Rom

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.