Emergency department attendance for injury and behaviours suggestive of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to investigate if the behaviours suggestive of ADHD were more frequent in a population of children attending the Emergency Department (ED) for injuries, rather than for other causes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Patients, aged 6 to 17 years, attending the ED for acute injuries and other causes were considered cases and controls, respectively. We used a questionnaire, which investigates the presence in the child of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The primary outcome was the number of children with behaviours suggestive of ADHD in cases and controls. Results: Five hundred forty-five children were enrolled, 251 with injuries and 294 with other complains. Twenty two out of two hundred fifty one (9%) children visited for injuries, and 30 out of 294 (10%) visited for other causes had behaviours suggestive of ADHD (p = 0.661). Among these cases, children with evocative ADHD scores had a higher probability (OR 4.52; 95% CI 1.45-14.04; p = 0.009) of having had more than five previous ED accesses due to injury, compared to the others. Conclusions: This study did non shown a difference in behaviours suggestive of ADHD between cases and controls, but identified a population of children with behaviours suggestive of ADHD who more frequently access the ED for injuries.

Patterns of Injuries Among Children Diagnosed With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…They found that a higher frequency of ADHD-affected children was prone to multiple body and head injuries (43% and 41%, respectively). Conversano E et al assessed the frequency of admittance to the ER on account of ADHD-related injuries and behavior [ 27 ]. They reported the admittance of 545 such cases, 251 cases with injuries.…”

Treatment with methylphenidate and the risk of fractures among children and young people: A systematic review and self‐controlled case series study

“…12 Moreover, children and adolescents with ADHD have a higher risk of falls and injury than typically developing children and are therefore more likely to fracture a bone. [13][14][15][16] Although previous studies have demonstrated that the use of methylphenidate is associated with a lower risk of injury, 17,18 given the potential negative bone-metabolic effect of methylphenidate, it is not clear if methylphenidate is associated with the risk of fractures. Fractures have a negative impact on children and young people in multiple ways.…”

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents

“…Among the children presenting with injuries, behaviors suggestive of ADHD were found in 22 (%9), while in children with other complaints, 30 (%10) showed behaviors suggestive of ADHD. Indeed, research conducted with children diagnosed with ADHD indicates that they are at a high risk of serious injuries due to increased hyperactivity and decreased attention (Conversano et al 2020). In a qualitative study conducted in Australia, 8 participants were interviewed through semi-structured interviews to explore their perception of ADHD and its diagnosis, as well as their attitudes towards stimulant medication.…”