Maternal Pregnancy Diet and Child ADHD Syndrome

Diet always has an important role in influencing human health. In particular, expectant mothers must pay more attention to their diet to ensure that the baby in the womb develops healthy. 

Since ancient times, grandparents have advised mothers to "eat one ton two". This seemingly outdated advice is very true. Researchers have shown that maternal diet during pregnancy affects the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the born baby.

So in fact, how does a mother's diet during pregnancy affect the likelihood of having ADHD in her baby? Let's learn more with aFamilyToday Health in this article!

First of all, we need to understand what ADHD is. ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , is a disorder characterized by impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and attention deficit. It is usually diagnosed in children, but symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may continue into adolescence and adulthood.

A study recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that a mother's diet during pregnancy may affect the risk of symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) in the born baby.

The study was conducted on 600 children from four different regions of Spain. The researchers analyzed plasma samples taken from the umbilical cord of the participating children, thereby determining the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 acids. The balance between these two fatty acids is important, researchers say, because they have opposite functions. Omega-6 is a substance that promotes the inflammatory response; meanwhile, omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory. They believe that the higher the content of omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3, the more children at risk of developing ADHD in the future.

This is because fatty acids play a key role in the formation and function of the central nervous system, especially in later pregnancy, the researchers explain.

To assess the development and severity of ADHD symptoms, researchers collected responses from teachers at 4 years old and parents at 7 years old. The scientists found that, ADHD symptoms increased by 13% per unit increase in the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in umbilical cord plasma. Estimates at 4 years of age are likely to be erroneous because typical neurodevelopmental delays at this age can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms and vice versa.

"Our findings are in line with previous studies on the omega-6 / omega-3 ratio in different countries," said author Monica Lopez-Vicente, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute of Global Health. pregnant mothers and early neurological development ”.

Although the association between symptoms of ADHD and the ratio of omega-6 / omega-3 fatty acids was not clinically significant, she added, it does contribute to the proof that the mother's diet during pregnancy Period significantly affects the health of the fetus.

A 2018 study on Korean mothers found that a similar relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 that pregnant mothers consume during pregnancy affects their weight and height. babies at birth.

Monica's colleague Jordi Julvez said: “Providing nutrients in the earliest stages of life is essential to help the fetus develop the structure and function of organs. This also has an impact on the health of children in later stages of life ”.

"Because the brain takes so long to develop, it is very easy for the brain to be programmed wrongly," he explained. Changes in nutritional components can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Research has shown that the two types of omega-3 that are most beneficial for pregnant women are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Among the omega-3 fatty acids, these two help support cognitive function and immune response.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold water fish such as salmon and tuna. In addition, we can also find omega-3 in fish oil. Omega-6 fatty acids also contribute to brain function development, but can only be obtained through foods such as walnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds.

Some health experts recommend that pregnant mothers should not eat a diet containing too many omega-6 fatty acids and too little omega-3 fatty acids. Pregnant women should especially consume a balanced amount of the two.

Through these studies, we find that the mother's diet during pregnancy has a great impact on the health of the child, especially the possibility of developing ADHD in the child. Therefore, pregnant mothers should consult with doctors or experts to get a reasonable and safe diet throughout pregnancy.