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ADHD, DAMP and other neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders in 6-year-old children: epidemiology and co-morbidity
M Landgren1, R Pettersson, B Kjellman
1Department of Paediatrics, Skövde Central Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
A school screening identified 10.7% of 6-year-olds with neurodevelopmental disorders, including deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Early detection through school screenings is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are common in early childhood.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes.
- Prevalence rates and co-morbidities of these disorders in school-aged children require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders in 6-year-old children.
- To investigate the co-morbidity between different disorders.
- To assess the utility of a school entrant screening examination.
Main Methods:
- A population of 589 6-year-old children was screened using parent/teacher questionnaires and motor ability assessments.
- Fifty screen-positive and 50 screen-negative children underwent comprehensive neuropsychiatric assessments.
- Diagnoses were established based on detailed history, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, neuropsychological, and speech/language evaluations.
Main Results:
- A total of 63 children (10.7%) were identified with disorders.
- Prevalence rates included deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP) at 5.3-6.9%, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 2.4-4.0%, and mental retardation at 2.5%.
- Co-morbidities were observed between ADHD and DAMP, mental retardation, and Tourette syndrome.
Conclusions:
- Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are prevalent in 6-year-old children.
- A significant proportion of children exhibit co-occurring conditions.
- School entrant screening examinations are recommended for early detection and intervention.
Abstract:
A total population of 589 6-year-old children were screened for neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders by questionnaires to parents and preschool teachers, and by examination of motor abilities at the Child Health Center. Fifty screen-positive and fifty screen-negative children were assigned for complete neuropsychiatric assessment comprising a detailed history, psychiatric and neurodevelopmental assessment, neuropsychological examination and speech/language evaluation. Comprehensive diagnoses were made on the basis of all the available information. In the total population, 63 children (10.7%) with disorders were identified, 10 of whom had a diagnosis established before the study. The prevalence rates for deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) were 5.3 to 6.9%, for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) they were 2.4 to 4.0% and for mental retardation, 2.5%. Co-morbidity was established for ADHD on the one hand and DAMP, mental retardation and Tourette syndrome on the other. The findings suggest the need for a school entrant screening examination for the types of problems examined in this study.