Foetal distress and birth interventions in children with developmental delay syndromes: A prospective controlled trial

Summary 

Objective

To investigate the incidence of birth intervention/foetal distress in children with developmental delay syndromes (attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome of childhood, autistic spectrum disorders).

Methodology

A population of 100 children aged 4–15 years and diagnosed with developmental delay syndrome(s) were investigated using a parental questionnaire to determine whether they had suffered any birth interventions or distress. These results were compared with an age- and gender-matched control group.

Results

On the basis of this relatively small study, significant risk of development delay syndrome(s) occurred with both foetal distress (p<0.001) and Ventouse assisted delivery (p<0.01).

Keywords: Attention deficit disorder (ADD), Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), Birth intervention, Controlled trial, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Pediatric, Peri-natal trauma, Tourette's syndrome of childhood (TSC)