Frequency of symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in autistic children

Abstract

Background: Both DSM-IV and the ICD-10 exclude diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when autism diagnostic is present. Some authors suggest, however, that autism can be associated to other comorbidity amongst which the ADHD. Objective: To estimate prevalence of ADHD in children with autism. Method: Children were selected from a specialized school, all of then had previous diagnosis or diagnostic suspicion of autism. The Brazilian version of the KIDDIE-SADS PL was applied to parents for diagnostic of ADHD. DSM-IV diagnostic of autism was based on parents' interview and child observation. Results: 32 children were included in the study. Results show that 53.1% of the ASD child had ADHD symptoms enough to fulfill DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, whereas 56.9% did not fulfill DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. Conclusion: Results suggest a high frequency of ADHD symptoms in ASD patients. Elucidating if we are facing a comorbity or an autism distinct phenotype can contribute for a more adjusted pharmacotherapy approach for these children. Key words: autistic disorder, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; prevalence, comorbidity. Freqüência de sintomas de transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade em crianças autistas RESUMOTanto o DSM-IV quanto a CID-10 excluem o diagnóstico de transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) em pacientes autistas. A literatura, no entanto, sugere que o autismo pode estar associado a outras doenças, dentre elas o TDAH. Objetivo: Estimar a freqüência de sintomas de TDAH em autistas. Método: As crianças foram selecionadas de uma escola especializada em crianças com transtorno do espectro autista (TEA); todas tinham um diagnóstico ou suspeita diagnóstica prévia de autismo. O instrumento de avaliação aplicado para o diagnóstico de TDAH foi a versão brasileira do KIDDIE-SADS PL. O diagnóstico de autismo de acordo com os critérios do DSM-IV foi feito através de entrevista com os pais e observação da criança. Resultados: 32 crianças foram incluídas no estudo. Os resultados indicam que 53,1% dos pacientes apresentaram sintomas compatíveis com o diagnóstico de TDAH e de autismo, enquanto que 56,9% dos autistas não preenchiam critérios para TDAH. Conclusão: Os achados sugerem uma elevada freqüência de sintomas de TDAH

ADHD severity as it relates to comorbid psychiatric symptomatology in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

“…Psychiatric conditions that are particularly common in children with ASD include Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. Prevalence rates of ADHD symptoms in ASD range from 28.2-87% (Amr et al, 2012; Ames & White, 2011; Frazier et al, 2001; Ponde, Novaes, & Losapio, 2010; Sinzig, Walter, & Doepfner, 2009; Simonoff et. al., 2008); prevalence rates of mood disorders comorbid with ASD have been estimated to range from 2-57% (Amr et al, 2011; Matson & Nebel-Schwalm, 2007; Mazefsky, Folstein, & Lainhart, 2008, Whitehouse, Durkin, Jacquet, Ziatas, 2009); and prevalence rates for anxiety disorders in ASD range from 15.7-84.1% (Mannion, Leader, & Healy, 2013; Muris, Steerneman, Merckelbach, Holdrinet, & Meesters, 1998).…”

Pervasive developmental disorder in the children of immigrant parents: comparison of different assessment instruments

“…According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disor ders, 4 th Edition (DSMIV), the PDD group has five diffe rent cate gories: autistic disorder, Rett's disorder, childhood di sintegrative disorder, Asperger syndrome and pervasive de ve lopmental disorder -not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) 1 . Associated symptoms such as hyperactivity 2 , aggressi veness, epilepsy and insomnia are common and aggravate the clinical condition, which in some cases may require pharmacological management 3 . Bearing in mind that the neurobiological origin of PDDs remains to be fully clarified, there are no specific diagnostic markers of this disorder.…”

The Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Mental Illness

“…139,140 In addition, low concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids have been observed in the plasma phospholipids and erythrocytes of subjects with ADHD, 108 a neurodevelopmental disorder with clinical presentation and genetic biomarkers comparable to that of autism. [141][142][143] Children with autism have been shown to have 20% lower omega-3 fatty acid plasma concentrations compared with mentally retarded controls. 144 The same trial reported no significant difference in the omega-6 fatty acid concentrations, which resulted in a significant increase in the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in the group with autism.…”