Are Early Preterm Infants at Higher Risk for ADHD than Term-Born Infants: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Title: Are Early Preterm Infants at Higher Risk for ADHD than Term-Born Infants: A Systematic Review. Objective: To review relevant literature examining if early preterm infants are at higher risk for ADHD than term-born infants. Methods: Literature was gathered through PubMed and Google Scholar in January and February 2026 to assess the prevalence of ADHD in preterm individuals compared to their term-born peers. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: All studies found that preterm birth is associated with increased risk of ADHD, attention problems, and broader neurodevelopmental and behavioral difficulties, with earlier gestational age linked to greater severity. More specifically, very preterm and early preterm individuals showed significantly higher rates of ADHD symptoms and diagnoses compared to term-born controls. Conclusions: Preterm birth is a significant prenatal risk factor for ADHD. Therefore, early monitoring, intervention, and diagnosis of ADHD in preterm infants is crucial to improve their developmental, behavioral, and learning outcomes.