ADHD and low birth weight

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder often co-occurring with other psychopathological conditions, such as depression, anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research has identified prenatal factors, including low birth weight, as potential contributors to the severity of ADHD symptoms. Moreover, children with low birth weight are at a higher risk for developing more severe psychopathological issues.This study aimed to (1) explore the psychopathological features in children diagnosed with ADHD combined type and (2) assess the predictive role of birth weight in the manifestation of these symptoms. A sample of 36 children, aged 3 to 14, diagnosed with ADHD combined type was evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale (SCOD-G).Results indicated subclinical to clinical levels of anxiety, social issues, aggressive behaviors, and attention problems in the participants. An interesting result of the present study is the negative correlation between birth weight and certain psychopathological symptoms in the ADHD sample. Notably, birth weight also plays a predictive role for the same CBCL subscales. The findings suggest that lower birth weight could be associated with more severe psychopathological conditions in children with ADHD.