Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder In School Children

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood and the most common neurobehavioral disorder among schoolchildren affecting an estimated 2-20% of school-age children. It is a syndrome produced by multiple causes that depend on genetic factors and environmental and social adversities. Nutritional factors play major roles as well. Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero is suspected to be associated with ADHD symptoms in children. Findings also showed a number of diverse risk factors concerning pre, peri and postnatal history, and neuropsychomotor development that may be related with the disorder.

The study aimed at determining the prevalence of ADHD and accompanying comorbid disorders, identifying possible risk factors which may have role in its etiology, and determining if there is increased prevalence of ADHD in recent years as a consequence of excessive use of use of TV, computer, internet and video games by comparing results of this study with previous one done by Ghanem et al., (1997) The study involved children attending kindergarten and primary stages in 2 schools in Heliopolis area/ Cairo Governorate in school year 2007/2008; El-Nasr private Kindergarten and primary school and El-Gabarty public Kindergarten and primary school.