ADHD

The children shown here have the same congenital condition. This disorder presents with increased birth weight, length, and head size, with subsequent rapid growth

Identification of this disorder can be difficult because of the wide range of effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Here: tips on how to recognize its clinical manifestations and neurodevelopmental features and behaviors.

The mother of an 8-year-old boy sought medical care for her son, who had complained of a sore throat for 3 days. No fever, drooling, rash, rhinorrhea, cough, congestion, ear pain, neck stiffness, or dyspnea was reported. The boy had not been in contact with any ill persons, although his complaints coincided with a local outbreak of streptococcal pharyngitis.

A 16-year-old boy presented for evaluation of his worsening behavior at school. He was very hyperactive and had difficulty in paying attention. He had always required help with reading and language. Maternal pregnancy and birth history were unremarkable.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a high prevalence in the pediatric population and is associated with significant morbidity, both physical and in the realms of development, cognition, behavior, and school performance.

Although the exact cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not yet been determined, a new study provides evidence that tobacco and lead exposure may increase a child's risk of developing the condition.

Four-year-old boy born at 35 weeks’ gestation to a gravida 2, para 1, 23-year-old mother via emergency cesarean delivery because of fetal distress. Birth weight, 1670 g (3 lb 11 oz). Apgar scores, 8 and 9 at 1 minute and 5 minutes, respectively. At birth, child found to have supravalvular aortic stenosis, peripheral pulmonary stenosis, and ventricular septal defect. Gastroesophageal reflux, laryngomalacia, bilateral inguinal hernias, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, growth retardation, and developmental delays noted at various times during the first 4 years of life. Family history, unremarkable.

Pharmacotherapy, namely the stimulant medications methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (MAS) and the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera), is the recommended treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

An article published in Contemporary Pediatrics 25 years ago instructed pediatricians on medications to treat attention deficit disorders (ADD). Their observations were so perceptive that, with a few tweaks, they could be republished as a 2009 update on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health disorder treated by pediatricians.1 Some pediatricians may not have the training, clinical experience, or time to adequately evaluate and treat children with ADHD-and most may feel their skills are insufficient in children with medication treatment resistance, comorbid psychiatric illnesses, or complex family dynamics.

The FDA has approved a new type of drug, an alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist, to treat ADHD in children as young as six.

“My 8–year–old son has always had trouble falling asleep. He never falls asleep before 11 PM, even on school nights. Is there anything you can prescribe so he can get to sleep earlier?”

The readiness of a child with a developmental disability to begin toilet training is determined by his or her achievement of the requisite developmental milestones rather than by chronological age. The specific strategies used in training are determined by the child's specific diagnosis.

Teva is now selling generic versions of Shire Plc's ADHD drug Adderall XR in the US, years before its patent expires.

Sleep is an important, yet frequently underestimated component of adolescent health. Adequate sleep is essential for achieving maximal cognitive abilities as well as for maintaining the energy needed to meet the demands of a busy adolescent’s schedule. Lack of quality sleep can result in attention problems, cognitive dulling, various somatic complaints (such as headaches and abdominal pain), and mood disturbances.

Young people with ADHD may be at increased risk of becoming addicted to tobacco, according to a report in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Tobacco smoke and lead exposure may be linked to a particularly high risk of ADHD, according to findings presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

A 16-year-old boy presented for evaluation of asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm. His parents recalled an episode 2 months earlier in which the patient, while jumping on a trampoline and wrestling with his brother, felt like he could not catch his breath. He took a puff of his rescue inhaler, and soon after, passed out. He remained unresponsive for 2 hours.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated it does not support the routine use of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening before initiating treatment with stimulants for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD diagnoses for children ages 6 to 17 have on average increased 3% per year from 1997 through 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A reader comments on the lack of supporting evidence for the benefits of ADHD stimulants for children.

Resources for child ADHD.

A guide for parents about managing their child's ADHD.

Medication remains the mainstay of pediatric ADHD treatment. But these efforts can be complemented by non-medication approaches, targeted at the major areas of functioning in a child's life.

The challenges of child ADHD and how important medications and support from family, school, and outside activities are to the child.