Biological predictors and co-morbidity of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in extremely low birthweight infants at school.
OBJECTIVE
To examine biological predictors and co-morbidity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and associated academic and social impairment in a cohort of extremely low birthweight of (ELBW) children attending school.


METHODS
Eight seven (70%) of 125 ELBW children born between 1977 and 1986 were followed prospectively. Neonatal and biological data including cranial ultrasound for 62% of children, formal developmental assessment at 4 or 6 years of age, teacher and parent ADHD questionnaire, parental rating of health status and social impairment and school teacher rating of academic performance was recorded.


RESULTS
Apart from grades 3 or 4 intraventricular haemorrhage in a minority of children, there was no evidence to suggest an association between ADHD and perinatal adversity in ELBW children. Social impairment, academic difficulty and atopic symptoms were significantly related to ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
Extremely low birthweight children presenting with symptoms of ADHD are likely to suffer social and learning impairment and these, rather than perinatal risk factors, should be the focus of clinical attention.
O'Callaghan
M J
MJ
Growth and Development Clinic, Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane Queensland, Australia.
Harvey
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004453:Echoencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications