Rare Causes of ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects up to 11% of children. It is characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that can significantly interfere with a child's ability to function in academic, social, and home settings. While there are a range of contributing factors to ADHD, such as genetics and environmental factors, there are also some rarer causes that can lead to the disorder.
Genetic Causes
Genetic factors are one of the most common causes of ADHD, with several genes linked to the disorder. However, there are also some rare genetic causes that can lead to ADHD. One of the rarest is the duplication of the 15q13.3 region, which is a duplication of a region of the 15th chromosome. This duplication can lead to an increase in the expression of genes in the region, which can cause ADHD symptoms.
Metabolic Causes
Some metabolic conditions can also lead to ADHD. One such condition is called phenylketonuria (PKU), which is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme is needed to metabolise the amino acid phenylalanine, and a deficiency can lead to an accumulation of phenylalanine in the brain, which can cause ADHD symptoms.
Infectious Causes
Infectious causes of ADHD are rare, but they can occur. For example, some studies have found a link between maternal infection and ADHD in the offspring. In particular, infections with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) have been linked to an increased risk of ADHD in children.
Toxic Causes
Toxic causes of ADHD are also rare, but they can occur. For example, some studies have found a link between exposure to lead and an increased risk of ADHD. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body, and if it accumulates in the brain it can lead to the development of ADHD symptoms.
Other Causes
Other rare causes of ADHD include prenatal exposure to alcohol and smoking, head injuries, prenatal exposure to certain chemicals, and prenatal stress. While these causes are rare, it is important to be aware of them to ensure that any potential causes of ADHD are identified and addressed.
In conclusion, there are a range of rare causes of ADHD that can lead to the disorder. These include genetic, metabolic, infectious, toxic, and other causes. It is important to be aware of these causes to ensure that any potential causes of ADHD are identified and addressed.