Pesticides and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Results from a cross-sectional study support an association between organophosphate exposure in children and ADHD but cannot confirm causality.

Children are exposed to organophosphate pesticides primarily in food and drinking water. These pesticides might be particularly toxic to developing brains. Using data derived from a national health survey, investigators assessed the relation between exposure to organophosphates and development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Exposure was determined from one urinary sample, and ADHD was diagnosed by structured parent interview.

Among the 1139 children (age range, 8–15 years), 119 were diagnosed with ADHD. Most children (94%) had detectable levels of at least one of six urinary metabolites of organophosphates. The association between total exposure to organophosphates (total urinary metabolite concentrations) and ADHD appro…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)