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Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
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Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

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Methylphenidate Use and Infectious Diseases in Children With Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder: A

Vincent Chin-Hung Chen1,2, Kai-Liang Kao3, Yi-Lung Chen4,5

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.

Frontiers in Medicine
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a higher risk of infectious disease (ID) related emergency visits and hospitalizations. Methylphenidate (MPH) treatment significantly reduces these risks in children with ADHD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Children with ADHD exhibit increased emergency department (ED) visits for injuries.
  • Limited research exists on the association between ADHD and infectious disease (ID) related healthcare utilization.
  • The potential protective effect of methylphenidate (MPH) on ID risk in ADHD is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk of ID-related ED visits and hospitalizations in children with ADHD compared to controls.
  • To examine whether MPH treatment influences the risk of ID-related healthcare utilization in children with ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • A population-level study utilizing Cox regression and self-controlled case series designs.
  • ID-related ED visits and hospitalizations were the primary outcomes.
  • Hazard ratios (HR) and relative risks (RR) were calculated to assess risk and treatment effects.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD showed significantly higher rates of ID-related ED visits (HR=1.25) and hospitalizations (HR=1.28) compared to those without ADHD.
  • MPH treatment in children with ADHD was associated with reduced risks of ID-related ED visits (HR=0.10) and hospitalizations (HR=0.73).
  • Self-controlled analysis confirmed decreased risks for ID-related ED visits (RR=0.73) and hospitalizations (RR=0.19) during MPH-exposed periods.

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to report an increased risk of ID-related healthcare utilization in children with ADHD.
  • MPH treatment demonstrates a significant risk reduction for ID-related emergency visits and hospitalizations in children with ADHD.
  • Findings suggest MPH may play a role in mitigating infectious disease burdens in pediatric ADHD populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
attention deficit and hyperactivity disorderhospitalizationsinfectious diseasesmethylphenidate (MPH)visits to emergency departments

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