Pre-, peri-, and postnatal trauma in subjects with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective: To review research on pre-, peri-, and postnatal stress and thei r potential relation to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method. We selected and critically reviewed 51 research reports from the me dical and psychology literature, between January 1, 1976 and May 1, 2001, b ased on the subjects of pre-, peri-, or postnatal stress and ADHD. Results: Children with ADHD show higher percentages of pre-, peri-, or post natal insult, compared with unaffected children; however, the relative infl uence of various factors is still controversial. Conclusions: The etiology of ADHD encompasses genetic and environmental fac tors. Pre-, peri-, and postnatal stressors are environmental factors that m ay play a role in its etiology. Future research should carefully examine in teractions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors as etio logies of ADHD.