Does Low Birth Weight Share Common Genetic or Environmental Pathways with Childhood Disruptive Disorders? Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
Does Low Birth Weight Share Common Genetic or Environmental Pathways with Childhood
Disruptive Disorders?
By Courtney A. Ficks
Although advances in neonatal care over the past century have resulted in increased rates of
survival among at-risk births, including infants with low birth weight, we have much to learn
about the psychological outcomes in this population. In particular, findings for associations
between birth weight and disruptive disorder symptom dimensions (Attention-
Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder) have been
inconsistent in the literature, and previous investigations have failed to use genetically-
informative methods in examining low birth weight as a risk factor for these disorders. The
current investigation examined phenotypic associations between birth weight and symptoms
across families (using generalized linear models with generalized estimating equations) as well
as within families (using linear and logistic regression). We then utilized univariate and bivariate
biometric modeling to examine the extent to which associations between low birth weight and
disruptive disorder symptom dimensions were due to common genetic and environmental
influences. Small but significant associations between low birth weight and several childhood
disruptive disorder symptom dimensions (inattentive, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and broad
externalizing symptoms) were found. Biometric models suggested that these associations were
entirely due to common genetic influences, with no contribution of shared and minimal
contribution of nonshared environmental risk factors. The current study thus illustrates the
importance of using genetically-informative designs to examine putative risk factors of child
psychopathology.

Does Low Birth Weight Share Common Genetic or Environmental Pathways with Childhood
Disruptive Disorders?
By
Courtney A. Ficks
B.S., Arizona State University, 2007
Advisor: Irwin Waldman, Ph.D.
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the
James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies of Emory University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts
in Psychology
2010

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...2
Methods...17
Results...22
Discussion...30
Works Cited...37
Non-printed Sources...47
Tables
Table 1...48
Table 2...49
Table 3...51
Table 4...53
Table 5...55
Table 6...56
Table 7...61
Table 8...62
Figures
Figure 1...66
Figure 2...67
Figure 3...68
Figure 4...69
Figure 5...70
Figure 6...71
Figure 7...72

Figure 8...73

Figure 9...74

Figure 10...75

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Psychology
Degree	MA
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Developmental
Keyword	hyperactivity externalizing attention deficit oppositional defiant disorder ADHD behavior genetics etiology birth weight common genetic influences conduct disorder
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Waldman, Irwin, Emory University
Committee Members	Bachevalier, Jocelyne, Emory University Brennan, Patricia, Emory University

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