Common childhood psychiatric disorders with prevalence of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)‎

Abstract EN

Background: ADHD is an early onset, highly prevalent neurobehavioral disorder, with genetic, environmental and biological etiologies that persist into adolescence and adulthood in a sizeable majority of afflicted children and adolescents.

It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity across the life cycle and is associated with considerable morbidity and disability.

Objective: To study the most prevalent psychiatric disorders affecting children and adolescents during 5 years from 2008 to 2012 attending special needs center, and to estimate the prevalence of ADHD cases among psychiatric disorders.

Methodology: Retrospective study (phase ONE).

Prospective study (phase two).

Group (A): 25 newly diagnosed cases of ADHD receiving behavioral therapy and stimulant medication (methylphenidate capsules with a total dose of Img/ kg/ day in the form of long acting capsules.

The total dose was between (20- 60) mg.

Group (B): 25 cases of ADHD receiving behavioral therapy and non-stimulant medications (atomoxetine capsules with a total dose of lmg/ kg/ day).

All children in this study were subjected to: Full history taking and thorough clinical examination IQ level Stanford- Binet Intelligence Scales V (SB 5).

Conner's Eating Scales Comers Parent Rating Scale-Revised- Long Version (CPRSR: L).

A written consent were obtained from the special needs center to use the recorded data.

Secrecy and privacy of patient’s data.

Results: the Prevalence rate of ADHD with total number of 10800 children was 10.2%, Methylphenidate (Group A) is more effective than atomoxetine (Group B) as regard hyperactivity (P= 0.025) impulsivity (P= 0.002) and learning disability (P= 0.018).

There are positive correlations between hyperactivity versus learning disability and anxiety versus psychosomatic disorder, there was no significant statistical difference between both groups as regard total IQ and different IQ items.

Conclusion: Atomoxetine [non stimulant] is effective in management of ADHD symptoms especially inattention.

But its efficacy in management of impulsivity and hyperactivity is less than stimulant drug [methylphenidate].