Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Pediatric

Basics

Description

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests in early childhood characterized by distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or inattention.
Three subsets: predominantly hyperactivity (ADHD-H), predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I), or combined (ADHD-C)
System(s) affected: nervous

Epidemiology

Predominant age: onset <12 years; lasts into adolescence and adulthood
Predominant sex: assigned male at birth > assigned female at birth (2:1); ADHD-I is more common in patients assigned female at birth.

Prevalence
9–15% of children aged 4 to 17 years

Etiology and Pathophysiology

Not definitive—suggested pathogenesis includes imbalance of catecholamine metabolism and structural brain differences. Environmental influences are controversial.

Risk Factors

Family history (genetic component)
Medical causes (affecting brain development)—including prenatal tobacco exposure and prematurity

Commonly Associated Conditions

Mood disorders—depression, anxiety
Behavior disorders—oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
Physiologic disorders—sleep disorders, tics
Learning disabilities, developmental coordination syndrome, language disorder
Substance use disorders

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