Epidemiology of ADHD in school-age children.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a relatively common condition of childhood onset and is of significant public health concern. Over the past two decades there have been 19 community-based studies offering estimates of prevalence ranging from 2% to 17%. The dramatic differences in these estimates are due to the choice of informant, methods of sampling and data collection, and the diagnostic definition. This article provides a critical review of the community-based studies on the prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents. Based on the 19 studies reviewed, the best estimate of prevalence is 5% to 10% in school-aged children. The review also examines age and gender effects on the frequency of ADHD. The article closes with a discussion of psychosocial correlates and patterns of comorbidity in ADHD.
Scahill
L
L
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Lawrence.Scahill@Yale.edu
Schwab-Stone
M
M
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales