Effects of methylphenidate on preschool children with ADHD: cognitive and behavioral functions.
OBJECTIVE
To report on implications for methylphenidate treatment of this very young age group and the need to examine factors related to achieving compliance.


METHODS
Thirty-one children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aged 4 to 6 years, participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using placebo, 0.3 mg/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg of methylphenidate twice per day.


RESULTS
Improvements related to medication were obtained on cognitive tests of attention and impulsivity as well as behaviors assessed by parent rating scales. In an interactive setting with their mothers, attentional abilities and the children's ability to work more productively also showed improvement. However, no changes were obtained with respect to the children's tendency to comply with parental requests. Side effects increased slightly with the high dosage of medication but remained mild.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that methylphenidate can be used to improve the functioning of preschool-age children with ADHD, in a manner similar to their school-age counterparts.
Musten
L M
LM
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Firestone
P
P
Pisterman
S
S
Bennett
S
S
Mercer
J
J
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009035:Mothers
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate