ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER: AN OVERLOOKED PROBLEM IN CHILDREN | ||
| IRAQI JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES | ||
| Article 1, Volume 5, Issue 1, April 2007, Pages 48-54 | ||
| Author | ||
| Tariq S. Al-Karagully | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: This condition is one of the most prevalent disorders among school-aged children treated by child neurologists and pediatricians. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity or combination of these features. It is one of the most common causes of poor school performance. It remains under diagnosed and under recognized. Objectives: To study the characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in our children. Methods: 42 children diagnosed as having ADHD (according to Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases edition IV) in the pediatric neurology clinic in Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital. 40 non-ADHD children matching with age and sex were used as control. Chi square was used to find the significance of the characteristics of ADHD. Results: Males were affected twice as the females. 59.5% of the patients were of the combined type. 42.9% had significant history of nocturnal enuresis (P= 0.01). 71.4% had significant history of daily injuries, (P= 0.004). 61.9% had significant history of poor school performance, (P= 0.0001). 80.9% had significant history of sleep problems, (P= 0.0003). 69% of all subtypes had onset of symptoms after 7 years of age and all cases of the hyperactive subtype before 7 years of age. Conclusion: Boys with ADHD are more commonly affected. The most common type of ADHD is the combined type, and the hyperactive type is the least. The hyperactive type is more common in the younger age group. ADHD children are more likely to have nocturnal enuresis, daily injuries, poor school performance and sleep problems. Key words: Attention deficit, hyperactivity, children | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Attention deficit; hyperactivity; ADHD; Children | ||
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