It was once thought that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) did not persist into adolescence, but results from two prospective studies suggest otherwise.1 3 The results of a meta-analysis suggest a 15% persistence rate of ADHD into adolescence when the full Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria are used.3 However, it has been postulated that persistence rates of ADHD into adolescence would be much higher if adolescents meeting the partial remission criteria were also included. 4 With this in mind, a recent study of 157 individuals who had been diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of 6 and 15 years found that on the basis of parents' reports, 60% of these individuals still met the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD 5 years after diagnosis.5 There would therefore appear to be convincing evidence of noteworthy persistence rates into adolescence for both full DSM-IV criteria and partial-remission ADHD.Longitudinal studies of children with ADHD indicate that the majority of individuals diagnosed with the disorder during childhood continue to exhibit clinically significant symptom levels during adolescence. A recent study found that in a sample of 296 individuals diagnosed with DSM-IV ADHD at a mean age of 6 years, 68.8% still had persistent ADHD between the ages of 11 and 17 years.6 Most adolescents suffering from ADHD report higher levels of emotional, social and scholastic impairment than their non-ADHD peers.7 Moreover, psychiatric co-morbidities appear to be the norm rather than the exception among adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. 8 The most commonly occurring co-morbid conditions are reported to be oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), mood disorders, anxiety disorders, learning disorders and substance abuse disorders. Co-morbid ODD and/or CD have been reported in Objectives. Given the paucity of research on adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this study aimed to establish the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) ADHD in a cohort of South African adolescents who had been diagnosed with the disorder in childhood. It also aimed to establish the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidities and adjustment difficulties in this sample.Method. Data regarding age of diagnosis, current ADHD status, current ADHD-related pharmacological management, current psychopathology and current adjustment were gathered from 64 adolescents and their guardians via self-report questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated with regard to current ADHD status, co-morbid psychopathology and adjustment difficulties, as well as current ADHD-related medication.Results. According to parent reports, 59.38% of the sample met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD Inattentive subtype, while 37.50% met the criteria for ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive subtype. Of the adolescents, 64.06% were still using stimulant medication. Based on the adolescent self-report, 43.75% of the sample had clinically significan...

Background: Prematurity is globally the leading cause of neonatal mortality, morbidity and long-term disability. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations, and specifically MDG 4, address child mortality. Neonatal mortality rates contribute to 37% of all under-five mortality, with the largest proportion (30%) due to prematurity. The overall purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with prematurity and to identify treatable and preventable causes at the Bloemfontein Academic Complex in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with prematurity in line with MDG. Methods: A case control study design was used including all premature babies referred to the Kangaroo Care Unit of the National District Hospital between December 2010 and March 2011. Each baby was included with his/her mother as a pair. For each premature baby and mother pair a term baby and mother pair was included as a control. Data were collected on a data sheet from the mothers' antenatal records, and from maternal notes as well as the neonatal follow-up and discharge notes. Data gathered included baseline characteristics, habits, diseases and medication of the mother during the antenatal period and delivery as well as baseline demographics of the babies. Results: A total of 194 mothers and 198 babies were included in the study with 109 case mothers and 85 control mothers. Pre-existing medical conditions were more prevalent in the premature group (69%) compared with the control group (27%) with p < 0.0001. These conditions included hypertension, HIV disease and syphilis. Possible causes for prematurity identified in this study included teenage mothers and premature rupture of membranes. Conclusion: Risk factors identified for prematurity were: teenage mothers, pre-existing medical conditions in the mother, and preterm rupture of membranes. Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy could not be identified as risk factors for prematurity. It is recommended that patients with any of the above-mentioned identified risk factors be classified as high risk for the development of prematurity and shorter follow-up intervals and more aggressive management of pre-existing medical conditions should be practised.

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