ADHD Risk Factors
- Consumption of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy. Some studies suggest that maternal alcohol abuse and drug absorption during pregnancy can reduce the production of dopamine in the child and increase the risk of ADHD.
- Mother’s smoking during pregnancy. Several studies suggest that pregnant women who smoke are 2-4 times more likely to have a child with ADHD6.
- Exposure to pesticides or to others toxic substances (like PCBs) during fetal life, but also duringchildhood could contribute to the high prevalence of ADHD, as evidenced by several recent studies37.
- Lead poisoning duringchildhood. Children are particularly sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of lead. However, this type of poisoning is rare in Canada.