Obstetric synthetic oxytocin use and subsequent hyperactivity/inattention problems in Danish children

Lonny Stokholm, Mette Juhl, Nicole N Lønfeldt, Susanne H Mikkelsen, Carsten Obel, Katrine Strandberg-Larsen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to examine the association between obstetric synthetic oxytocin use and hyperactivity/inattention problems in offspring.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified children born in 2000-2003, enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort, with data on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) reported by parents at age 7 (n = 33 896) and age 11 (n = 27 561) and the children themselves around age 11 (n = 27 251). Information on oxytocin administration was provided in the Medical Birth Register. We estimated mean differences and odds ratios for childhood hyperactivity/inattention problems according to oxytocin exposure.

RESULTS: Synthetic oxytocin was administered in 26% of the deliveries. We did not find the use of synthetic oxytocin during birth to be associated with childhood hyperactivity/inattention problems, whether analyzed in linear or logistic regression models.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support any effects of obstetric use of synthetic oxytocin on hyperactivity/inattention problems in children when measured with the SDQ subscale at 7 or 11 years of age.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume97
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)880-889
Number of pages10
ISSN0001-6349
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

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