Isn't ADHD genetic? What does it have to do with preterm birth?

I have fraternal twins who came 4 weeks early. They spent no time in the NICU. One has ASD, ADHD and anxiety. The other is neurotypical. Their differences were already apparent from the early ultrasounds. Baby with ADHD was always kicking furiously. Neurotypical baby was calmer and moved much less. I don’t think coming 4 weeks early had much impact.

Being premature would not increase one's likelihood of a genetic problem but yes, brain damage and injuries are more of a risk when premature.

I have no idea about those that you asked about, but most certainly being born that early puts a kid at risk for many physical ailments.
My mom was a premier, she has Hashimoto's, obesity, asthma, diabetes.
Though, of course, she was told she is predisposed to have more issues bcs she was a premie born in 1947 and her "incubator" was a shoebox next to the fireplace!
Who knows what really was predisposed and what was her eating habits, and the stress of growing up in poor post-WWII Europe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One article of many - Preterm Birth and Childhood Psychiatric Disorders:

https://www.nature.com/articles/pr9201188#:~:text=Preterm%20birth%20and%20LBW%20have,)%20(7%E2%80%9310).

Thank you.
“Epidemiologic studies identified preterm birth as a significant risk factor for psychiatric disorders.”

It's important to note that this article states that the risk is greatest in babies born at less than 32 weeks gestation. What OP is asking about, 6 weeks early, which would be 34 weeks gestation, is considered late preterm and is associated with better immediate an long term outcomes. Each additional week gestation is important.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were able to keep mine cooking to 38 weeks, but I was a wreck so they must have bathed in my stress hormones the whole time and now have anxiety. Maybe prematurity would have spared them that.

I was a anxious wreck during my pregnancy and my DS is riddled with anxiety, ADHD, and prone to depression. Ugh.

Anxious people having anxious children is genetic.

So, if you like, you can still blame yourself, but really it's your parents fault, and they can turn around and blame theirs. Not much you could've done differently after conception unless you were e.g. mainlining cocaine weekly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were able to keep mine cooking to 38 weeks, but I was a wreck so they must have bathed in my stress hormones the whole time and now have anxiety. Maybe prematurity would have spared them that.

I was a anxious wreck during my pregnancy and my DS is riddled with anxiety, ADHD, and prone to depression. Ugh.

Anxious people having anxious children is genetic.

Anonymous wrote:We were able to keep mine cooking to 38 weeks, but I was a wreck so they must have bathed in my stress hormones the whole time and now have anxiety. Maybe prematurity would have spared them that.

I was a anxious wreck during my pregnancy and my DS is riddled with anxiety, ADHD, and prone to depression. Ugh.

My former 29w has significant anxiety (not sure whether to say it's severe or moderate) and some learning difficulties. She's also creative, active, and has lots of friends. It's been frustrating to me that I've reminded her teachers every year that she was an early low-birth-weight preemie and that increases her risk for learning issues but they brush me off. In the big picture, I would say it's something to be aware of if you are a preemie parent, but not something to obsess about. I would rather have my child as she is than any other version of her.

Anonymous wrote:Yes it can increase the risk of neurological issues like that, but like the PP said, many premature babies grow up without any lasting issues.

+1

DS was born 6 weeks early and spent a week in the NICU. He's now 13. He was diagnosed 10 years ago with mild cerebral palsy and 7 years ago with adhd-combined. Great, well-rounded kid in some advanced classes, so its not all doom and gloom.

Anonymous wrote:One article of many - Preterm Birth and Childhood Psychiatric Disorders:

https://www.nature.com/articles/pr9201188#:~:text=Preterm%20birth%20and%20LBW%20have,)%20(7%E2%80%9310).

Thank you.
“Epidemiologic studies identified preterm birth as a significant risk factor for psychiatric disorders.”

Sure, it increases the risk of many health issues, including mental. Anecdotally you will find that your mileage may vary though.

We had a premie, born 8 weeks early, and his now in elementary school and has diagnosed ADHD. Is it because he was a premie? Who knows. Nothing i can do about that now anyway though.

Yes. But “at risk” is far from a guarantee of individual outcomes.

Come on. You know being born prematurely raises a baby’s a risk for many health problems. Is it guaranteed? Absolutely not, but they will definitely have a greater risk than a full term baby.

Why do you ask, OP?

I have a 34 weeker - she was in NICU 10 days. She's almost 5 now and is extremely bright - early walker (9 months) and early talker (16 months was talking in 4-5 word sentences). 75% in height, totally normal. You would never know she was a 4lb preemie