title: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify ADHD children, to show the prevalence of the disorder in the age group of 5-12 years and to study their socio-demographic variables, associated medical and co-morbid psychological problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional case study of ADHD children presenting to a child guidance clinic in a busy pediatric hospital over a one year period. The diagnosis of ADHD was based on DSM IV criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 238 children referred, 37 were diagnosed as ADHD. 64.9% of the referrals were from pediatricians. The prevalence of ADHD in pediatric clinic was 15.5%, the inattention subtype was predominant. The mean age of boys and girls with ADHD was 8.49 years and 6.82 years respectively. The male to female ratio was 6.4:1. Majority of patients were from middle socio-economic status belonging to Hindu families. 27.0% of children had developmental problems. Oppositional defiant disorder was the most prevalent while depression was the least prevalent co morbid problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADHD is prevalent in India and the bunch of these children are mostly presenting to the pediatrician. They need to be aware of the profile of this disorder for early detection and intervention.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Health, Dr. Biresh Guha Street, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mukhopadhyay
authors.forename: Saheli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: Tapashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitra
authors.forename: Prabal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niyogi
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution