Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with unintentional injuries

Abstract

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsiveness. Risk-taking behaviour and accident proneness are well recognized in these children. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of ADHD among children attending an Accident Service and to describe the injury profile. Method: Data was gathered from children with unintentional-injuries attending Accident Service on randomly selected days. SNAP IV, an 18-item standardized schedule validated for diagnosis of ADHD, was interviewer-administered to parents. Injury-related data was collected using a semistructured questionnaire. Results: One hundred and fifty one children, aged 4 to 12 years (mean age 8.5 years), participated in the study. Prevalence of ADHD in this group was 18%. Children with and without ADHD did not differ in mean age and gender distribution. Children with ADHD were more likely to sustain injury needing hospitalization, report previous injury needing hospitalization and were perceived by mothers as injury prone, which were all statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Prevalence of ADHD among children attending an Accident Service was 18%. Children with ADHD were more likely to sustain injury needing hospitalization (p<0.01). Children with ADHD were perceived by parents as prone to injury (p<0.05).