Neurodivergent Teens at Increased Risk of Chronic Fatigue: Study

A study finds that children diagnosed with neurodivergence, like autism or ADHD, face twice the odds of chronic disabling fatigue in late teenage. Researchers suggest heightened stress and inflammation contribute to this fatigue. The study stresses the need for trans-diagnostic screening and better support for neurodivergent children.

Children diagnosed with neurodivergence, such as autism or ADHD, are twice as likely to suffer from chronic disabling fatigue in their late teenage years, significantly impacting their quality of life, according to a new study.

Individuals with ADHD face shorter attention spans and display restlessness and impulsivity. Researchers noted that neurodivergent children often endure higher stress levels, leading to increased inflammation and chronic fatigue, among other associated conditions like fibromyalgia and digestive issues. Fibromyalgia involves widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and mood changes.

The research team, which includes experts from Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) in the UK, emphasized that other factors, such as loneliness and bullying, also contribute to fatigue. Neurodivergent children are more susceptible to pain due to differences in pain perception and dopamine system malfunctions related to cognition and motivation. Further research is urged to unravel the complex mechanisms driving chronic fatigue in these children.

Participants' caregivers filled questionnaires when the children were aged seven or nine, developing autism or hyperactivity scores. At 18, the children completed a questionnaire assessing chronic disabling fatigue. The study, with over 4,500 responses, found that children with autistic traits at age seven were 78% more likely to experience chronic fatigue at 18, while those showing ADHD-like behavior at nine were over twice as likely to suffer the condition in late teenage. Lead researcher Lisa Quadt highlighted the need for trans-diagnostic screening and enhanced support for neurodivergent children.

(With inputs from agencies.)