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Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo
Author(s) -
Graham Diana M.,
Crocker Nicole,
Deweese Benjamin N.,
Roesch Scott C.,
Coles Claire D.,
Kable Julie A.,
May Philip A.,
Kalberg Wendy O.,
Sowell Elizabeth R.,
Jones Kenneth L.,
Riley Edward P.,
Mattson Sarah N.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01886.x
Subject(s) - cbcl , child behavior checklist , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , psychology , hypoactivity , discriminant function analysis , cognition , clinical psychology , psychiatry , machine learning , neuroscience , computer science
Background Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure often meet criteria for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ). ADHD research has examined subtype differences in symptomatology, including sluggish cognitive tempo ( SCT ). This construct is defined by behavioral symptoms including hypoactivity and daydreaming and has been linked to increased internalizing behaviors. The current study examined whether similar findings are displayed in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Methods As part of a multisite study, caregivers of 272 children (8 to 16 years) completed the SCT Scale and Child Behavior Checklist ( CBCL ). Four groups were included: alcohol‐exposed children with ADHD ( ALC +; n = 75), alcohol‐exposed children without ADHD ( ALC −; n = 35), nonexposed children with ADHD ( ADHD ; n = 60), and nonexposed children without ADHD ( CON ; n = 102). SCT and CBCL scores were analyzed using 2 (exposure) × 2 ( ADHD ) analyses of variance. P earson's correlations measured the relationships between SCT , CBCL , and Full Scale IQ ( FSIQ ). Discriminant function analysis examined whether SCT items could accurately classify groups. Results Analyses revealed significant main effects of exposure and ADHD on SCT and internalizing and externalizing scores and significant interaction effects on SCT and internalizing scores. SCT significantly correlated with internalizing, externalizing, and attention ratings in all groups and with FSIQ in ALC +. Discriminant function analysis indicated that specific SCT items could distinguish ALC − from CON . Conclusions Alcohol‐exposed children exhibited elevated SCT scores. Elevations were related to increased parent ratings of internalizing and externalizing behaviors and attention. These findings are observed in alcohol‐exposed children regardless of ADHD symptoms and specific SCT items proved useful in distinguishing exposed children, suggesting clinical utility for this measure in further defining the neurobehavioral profile related to prenatal alcohol exposure.