Injuries to Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Injured children with ADHD are more likely to sustain severe injuries than are children without ADHD. More research is needed to identify prevention efforts specifically targeted at this population.

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with unintentional injuries

“…Firstly, more children with ADHD were likely to have sustained injuries needing hospitalization, 85.2% vs 50%, indicating the possibility that the injuries were more severe. This finding is supported by other studies in similar accident and emergency settings 7 . In contrast, a study of preschoolers with ADHD found that they were more at risk of minor injuries but not major injuries when compared to a control group of non-ADHD children 16 .…”

“…Our study also shows a proportionately higher number of fractures and head injury in children diagnosed with ADHD when compared to children without ADHD, though not a statistically significant difference. Similar findings are reported on association between ADHD and selected injury type such as head injury, burns and other trauma 7,9 . It was interesting to note that proportionately more children without ADHD had learning difficulties though this is a known comorbidity with ADHD.…”

“…However, it has also been reported that development and cognitive skills do not have a significant association with injury proneness in ADHD 17 . Also noteworthy is that more than 50% of children sustained injury at home rather than on the road as reported in other studies 7 , which was true of both ADHD and non-ADHD children. The study cannot comment on the objective measures of injury severity, length of stay in hospital and outcome.…”

“…Children with ADHD are also said to be more frequent users of a range of medical services when compared to non-ADHD children 6 . Furthermore, children with ADHD are likely to sustain multiple injuries and head injuries, the likelihood of self-inflicted injury being 1.3% vs. 0.1% when compared with non-ADHD children 7 . Increased risk of sustaining burn injury is found among children with ADHD [8][9][10][11] .…”

The impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on recovery from mild traumatic brain injury

“…This is especially pertinent given data that children with ADHD are reported to sustain higher levels of injury, especially CHI, when compared with age-matched controls. 5 This study may better inform the clinical management in children who have ADHD and experience a CHI, perhaps directing more intensive resources and closer monitoring to encourage maximal recovery. Third, it may spur the education of families of children with ADHD about expectations during the recovery period after TBI.…”