Update on Environmental Risk Factors for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Open accessAbstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurobehavioral disorder affecting 5% to 10% of children. Although considered to be a highly familial disorder, ADHD heritability estimates of 60% to 80% highlight the considerable role that environmental factors may still play in disorder susceptibility. Proposed ADHD environmental risk factors include prenatal substance exposures, heavy metal and chemical exposures, nutritional factors, and lifestyle/psychosocial factors. This paper reviews the literature published in 2010 investigating the association between environmental risk factors and ADHD or related symptomatology. Sources of risk factor exposure and the proposed mechanism by which each exposure is linked to ADHD-related neurobehavioral changes are also reported. Methodologic limitations of the current literature are discussed, and guidelines for future study are proposed. An improved understanding of the role that environmental factors play in ADHD etiology is critical to future ADHD prevention efforts.
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ADHD heritability estimates of 60-80% highlight a potential role of environmental factors in the susceptibility of this disorder.
“Although considered a highly familial disorder, ADHD heritability estimates of 60–80% highlight a potential role of environmental factors in the susceptibility of this disorder48.”
From Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [48]
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References 92 · Cited by 236
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- [60]Committee FA Administration USFaD: Interim Toxicology Review Memorandum: Artificial Food Colors and ADHD in Childhood and Related Problem Behaviors 2011 Washington, D.C. Department of Health & Human Services
- [77]Schlotz W Jones A Phillips DI Lower maternal folate status in early pregnancy is associated with childhood hyperactivity and peer problems in offspring J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2010 51 594 602 19874428 PMC2862762
- [84]Rodriguez A Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and risk for inattention and negative emotionality in children J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2010 51 134 143 19674195
- Authors
- Froehlich, T. E., Anixt, J. S., Loe, I. M., Chirdkiatgumchai, V., Kuan, L., & Gilman, R. C.
- Affiliations
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (US)
- Stanford Medicine (US)
- Corresponding author
- Froehlich, Tanya E.
- Venue
- Current Psychiatry Reports
- Published
- 2011-07-16
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 333-344
- ISSN
- 1523-3812 (ISSN-L)
- 1535-1645
- PMC
- PMC3277258
- OpenAlex
- W2063202219
- Cited by
- 236
- References
- 92
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 1.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Current Psychiatry Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (K23MH083881)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, environmental risk factors, prenatal drug exposure, heavy metal exposure, chemical exposure, dietary factors, psychosocial factors, ADHD etiology, ADHD prevention, heritability
- MeSH terms
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Child, Preschool, Environmental Exposure, Female, Humans, Life Style, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Risk Factors
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