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eISSN: 2083-8441
ISSN: 2081-237X
Pediatric Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism
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SCImago Journal & Country Rank
4/2023
vol. 29
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Elevated level of testosterone in amniotic fluid during prenatal stress and its association with development of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) like symptoms in toddlers

Tamar Kacharava
1
,
Ketevan Nemsadze
1
,
Ketevan Inasaridze
2

  1. General Pediatrics, David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia
  2. Science, Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, Georgia
Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2023; 29 (4): 248-252
Online publish date: 2024/01/11
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Aim of the study:
To investigate the “prenatal testosterone hypothesis”, according to which, high level of testosterone associated with the development of ADHD like symptoms in younger children, and to investigate whether maternal stress during pregnancy in-creases the risk of developing ADHD like symptoms in early childhood.

Design:
This was a prospective study with three measurement periods: the first one during pregnancy (12 to 25 weeks of gestation); the second period involved the assessment of infants of this pregnancy at the age of 6 months and the third one the assessment of the same infants at the age of 18 months. The research plan is approved by “David Tvildiani Medical University” Research Ethics Committee. The study does not contain serious predictable risks as the expected benefit overweighs them.

Material and methods:
The study group is presented by 40 pregnant women and 40 infants of these pregnancies. Pregnant women were asked about their perceived stress levels, critical life events of the past year and pregnancy-specific stress levels using standardized questionnaires. Child's temperament and behavioral regulation were assessed using the questionnaires. Amniotic fluid was collected undergoing amniocentesis. Total testosterone in amniotic fluid was measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results:
Although statistically significant relationship was identified between hyperactivity, also impulsiveness symptoms and pre-natal stress, no statistically significant relationship was identified between testosterone level and hyperactivity, also impulsivity symptoms, as well as between testosterone level and prenatal stress level.

Conclusions:
The performed study did not support the “hypothesis about prenatal testosterone”, because there was a significant negative correlation between the frequency of hyperactivity symptoms and testosterone level.

keywords:

ADHD, amniocentesis, fetal programming, prenatal stress, prenatal testosterone


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