Children with a history of both maternal immune activation and prematurity are not at increased risk of ADHD symptoms.

Maternal autoimmune diseases (AID) are risk factors for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Animal studies suggest that maternal immune activation (MIA) is a disease primer for ADHD, with second environmental factor precipitating the onset of the disease. Prematurity is also a major risk factor for ADHD. In this study, we sought to explore the interaction between parental AID and prematurity on ADHD risk in a community sample. Children of AID parents born prematurely appeared at increased odds of ADHD but these two risk factors do not appear to be additive (OR 1.39 [95 CI 0.75; 2.46]). Longitudinal studies with larger numbers of participants are needed.