SynthesisFrontiers in pediatrics2026
Screen time and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: Excessive screen time was significantly associated with elevated childhood ADHD risk (pooled OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.31-1.87, Conclusions: 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.
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