Figure 1.
Model Relating Maternal 3rd Trimester Cytokines with Child ADHD Symptoms at 4–6 Years.
Note: +p<0.10,*p<0.05,**p<0.01. χ2 (df=30)=46.70, p=0.03, CFI=0.91, RMSEA=0.09. The gray dashed lines indicate paths that were estimated but were not statistically significant. When considered in separate models (where only one prenatal exposure was considered at a time), maternal distress (β=0.47, 95% CI=0.16, 0.77, p=0.003), low omega-3 fatty acids (β=0.33, 95% CI=0.02, 0.63, p=0.038), and pre-pregnancy BMI (β=0.68, 95% CI=0.45, 0.91, p<0.001) were each significantly associated with increased maternal inflammation. The maternal inflammation➔ADHD effect remained statistically significant when controlling for familial ADHD status, (β=0.46, 95% CI=0.45, 0.91, p=0.017). BMI=Body Mass Index. IL-6=interleukin-6, TNF-α=tumor necrosis factor-alpha, MCP-1=monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. ADHD-RS=ADHD rating scale. SDQ=Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
KSADS=Kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for early childhood. SWAN=Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD symptoms and Normative Behavior Scale. Sx=Symptoms.