ADHD, Psychotropic Medication and Pregnancy: The Influence of Maternal ADHD on Child Development—A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly diagnosed in adults, including women of childbearing age. However, limited research exists on how maternal ADHD and psychotropic medication use during pregnancy impact early child development. This study aimed to assess developmental outcomes in children of mothers with ADHD during the first 4 years of life. SETTING: A retrospective cohort study using data from a pilot study, supplemented with data from Isala Hospital Zwolle (a general teaching hospital) and regional child health clinics. PARTICIPANTS: The exposed group comprised mothers diagnosed with ADHD, aged ≥ 18 years at term, with a gestation of ≥ 24 weeks. A subgroup used psychotropic medication during pregnancy (including SSRIs, methylphenidate, benzodiazepines and antipsychotics). The reference group included mothers without psychiatric diagnosis. Relevant somatic and socioeconomic confounders were documented. OUTCOME: Child development was assessed using the Van Wiechen Onderzoek (VWO), a validated Dutch screening tool for early childhood developmental disorders, routinely used in child health clinics. RESULTS: Seventy-two children born to mothers with ADHD were included, of whom 36 were exposed to psychotropic medication in utero. Thirty-two children formed the reference group. Univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in total VWO-scores between children of mothers with and without ADHD, nor between those exposed and unexposed to psychotropic medication. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal ADHD and associated medication use during pregnancy did not appear to adversely affect early childhood development. However, findings are limited by the small sample size and should be interpreted with caution.