2026-10-13T04:53:08Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34009302 2026-09-28T05:38:55Z category_393 portal_316 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Table 1_Screen time and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.docx Caihong Zhao (14822701) Jing Xu (15337) Xirui Wu (14684135) Yufen Li (428110) Foetal Development and Medicine attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children meta-analysis neurodevelopment preschoolers screen time Background<p>Children's exposure to electronic screens has risen sharply. This study quantitatively evaluated the association between excessive screen time and childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk through a systematic review and meta-analysis, exploring the moderating roles of age and media type.</p>Methods<p>Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched observational studies assessing children's screen time and ADHD, and finally included 10 observational studies with overall low-to-moderate risk of bias. Risk of bias was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. Continuous data were unified using the Chinn conversion rule. A DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses, leave-one-out sensitivity analyses, and Begg's and Egger's tests were also conducted.</p>Results<p>Excessive screen time was significantly associated with elevated childhood ADHD risk (pooled OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.31–1.87, P < 0.001). Substantial between-study heterogeneity was observed (Q = 344.51, I² = 97.4%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed significant age-related heterogeneity: preschoolers (0–6 years) showed a larger magnitude of association (OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.44–3.98), whereas the association in school-age children and adolescents (>6 years) was of smaller magnitude (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05–1.29). Passive TV/video viewing showed a higher point estimate of ADHD risk (OR = 2.20) than interactive digital media (OR = 1.10), but the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.</p>Conclusions<p>Excessive screen exposure is significantly associated with elevated ADHD risk in children, with distinct age-specific and media type-specific patterns. The preschool period appears to be a high-risk window for screen-related neurodevelopmental effects, with a trend toward stronger association for passive screen exposure. Public health and clinical interventions should prioritize restricting early screen exposure, particularly passive, fast-paced videos without substantial interaction.</p> 2026-09-28T05:38:55Z Dataset Dataset 10.3389/fped.2026.1860549.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Table_1_Screen_time_and_attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_in_children_a_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis_docx/34009302 CC BY 4.0