An investigation of adult outcome of hyperactive children in Shanghai.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of hyperactive children diagnosed 15 years ago at the average age of 25.


METHODS
Conditions of 197 children who were diagnosed as having minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) in 1979-1980 at our center and 103 normal controls were assessed by the parents in an inquiry form including educational achievement, occupational rank, persistence of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (MBD) symptoms, and pervasive conduct problems after a 15-year follow-up.


RESULTS
Compared with normal controls, the probands continued to reveal typical symptoms in 70% of these children, completed less formal schooling, and were less often employed in higher-level professions, but did not exhibit significantly more conduct problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Only about 30% of the formerly hyperactive children can get out of the shadow of ADHD (MBD) and succeed in their academic or occupational performance, and the rest continue to reveal some symptoms and some problems in their adult life.
Yan
W
W
Shanghai Mental Health Center.
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care