pediatrics
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD)
Introduction
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a syndrome of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The 3 types of ADHD are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined. Diagnosis is made by clinical criteria. Treatment usually includes drug therapy with stimulant drugs, behavioral therapy, and educational interventions. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder. Neurodevelopmental disorders are neurologically based conditions that appear early in childhood, typically before school entry, and impair development of personal, social, academic, and/or occupational functioning. They typically involve difficulties with the acquisition, retention, or application of specific skills or sets of information. Neurodevelopmental disorders may involve dysfunction in one or more of the following: attention, memory, perception, language, problem-solving, or social interaction. Other common neurodevelopmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorders , Some experts previously considered ADHD a behavior disorder, probably because children typically exhibit inattentive, impulsive, and overly active behavior, and because comorbid behavior disorders, particularly Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and ADHD affects an estimated 5 to 15% of children ( General references ). However, many experts think ADHD is overdiagnosed, largely because criteria are applied inaccurately. According to the Predominantly inattentive Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive Combined Overall, ADHD is about twice as common in boys, although the ratios vary by type. The predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type occurs 2 to 9 times more frequently in boys; the predominantly inattentive type occurs with about equal frequency in both sexes. ADHD tends to run in families. 1500 g, head trauma, Iron Deficiency , 