Estimated Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a Sample of Panamanian School-Aged Children

Abstract

The present study investigated the prevalence of ADHD in a school sample of children ages 6-11 years in the city of Panama. The assessment battery included the Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales, the Structured Developmental History of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). The prevalence of ADHD (N = 229) was 7.4%, with an estimate of 1.8% for the predominantly inattentive subtype, 3.1% for the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive subtype, and 2.6% for the combined subtype. The prevalence rate of ADHD is relatively low in Panama compared to those reported for samples in neighboring countries. Moreover, ADHD children were unlikely to have been identified or referred to psychological or special education assessments. Our findings confirm that ADHD is overlooked in some cultures and that a significant number of children with ADHD-related impairments are not receiving optimal intervention.

Epigenetics in Developmental Disorder: ADHD and Endophenotypes

“…Incidence analyses, including meta-analysis studies, have indicated that the world-wide prevalence of ADHD may well be in excess of 5% [68–70], with astronomical social and economic costs [71]. Gustafsson and Källén [72] reported that the results of a multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that ADHD was significantly associated with several environmental factors: a young maternal age, maternal smoking, maternal birthplace in Sweden, and preterm birth <weeks, as well as a male predominance.…”

Disordered Sleep as a Cause of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…These differences have been attributed to differences among diagnostic methods. [4][5][6][7] In the United States in 2009, the prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents was 9%, and the diagnosis rate was increasing. 8 Furthermore, contrary to earlier medical opinion, it is clear that up to 60% of individuals who suffered ADHD as children also experience symptoms as adults, often with profound effects, including more substance abuse, lower socioeconomic status, and higher divorce rate.…”

“…8 Furthermore, contrary to earlier medical opinion, it is clear that up to 60% of individuals who suffered ADHD as children also experience symptoms as adults, often with profound effects, including more substance abuse, lower socioeconomic status, and higher divorce rate. [4][5][6][7] ADHD and sleep disorders are also associated with other psychiatric, medical, and neurodevelopmental problems, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, aggression, poor communication and social skills, and obesity. [9][10][11][12][13][14] Mitigating or eliminating the symptoms of ADHD and possibly other behavioral disorders by treating an underlying sleep disorder may reduce or eliminate the need for treatment with medications.…”

“…8 Furthermore, contrary to earlier medical opinion, it is clear that up to 60% of individuals who suffered ADHD as children also experience symptoms as adults, often with profound effects, including more substance abuse, lower socioeconomic status, and higher divorce rate. 4-7…”

A prevalência do transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (tdah): Uma revisão de literatura

“…O TDAH caracteriza-se pela tríade sintomatológica de desatenção, hiperatividade e impulsividade, que se manifestam de maneira desproporcional tendo em vista a idade e o nível de desenvolvimento do indivíduo (Cornejo et al, 2005;Rohde et al, 2005;Sánchez, Velarde, & Britton, 2011). O transtorno é considerado pela Associação Americana de Psiquiatria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) como um problema de saúde pública cujas implicações consistem em atividades motoras excessivas, na dificuldade em sustentar a atenção e, no controle dos impulsos.…”