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The relationship between genetic polymorphisms and metabolic differences may greatly advance the understanding of hyperactive children. Interestingly, common ways to temporarily decrease symptoms in hyperactive children, such as exercise, prescribed amphetamines or stimulants of any kind, all increase metabolism, suggesting that hyperactivity may be a temperature-related disorder.

Could it be that elevations in maternal temperature during a critical point of gestation cause SNPs that can lead to hyperactivity and other temperature- or metabolic-related disorders? There are several different situations that can elevate maternal temperatures, such as fever, infection, heavy exercise or hot tub use, all of which can drive up the mother’s core temperature. Another possibility is prenatal ultrasound, which can cause a localized increase in fetal temperature when the inaudible sound waves are absorbed by tissue and transformed into heat. It would be interesting to survey the mothers of hyperactive children and find out whether any of the above were factors during their first trimester - the period of organogenesis. Unfortunately, women often do not know they are pregnant during this critical time, which is when most birth defects are thought to occur.

Caroline Rodgers