Attention Deficit Disorder in the Neuropediatric Outpatient Clinic. Our Current Experience with Children Over Seven and a Half Years Old

Abstract

Introduction: Attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD) can appear either alone or associated with diverse cerebral conditions, which may be hereditary or acquired. We review our experience of ADD/ADHD in children over seven and a half years old. Methods: ADD/ADHD in children born before 1-1-2010, seen at the neuropediatric clinic between 31-12- 15 and 19-6-17, is examined globally, by reasons for consultation and by diagnosis. Results: 41% of the 2,541 children over 7½ years seen at the clinic had ADD/ADHD: 530 cases of ADD/ADHD alone and 513 associated with other conditions. In 15.6% of the cases of ADD/ADHD the reason for consultation was headaches and in 43%, psychomotor delay. ADD/ADHD accompanied 65% of the cases of Asperger’s syndrome, 40% of intellectual disability and 23% of the cases of autistic spectrum disorder, 87.5 % of the cases of fragile X syndrome, 48.4% of chromosomopathies, 22% of genopathies, 19% of the cases of cerebral palsy, 50% of Duchenne, 53% of epilepsies, 67% of tics/Tourette, 51% of neurofibromatosis 1, 29 % of tuberous sclerosis and 74% of eastern European adopted children have ADD/ADHD. Discussion: The importance of neurodevelopmental disorders and ADD/ADHD in neuropediatric practice is revealed.