title: Three-year predictive validity of DSM-IV attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children diagnosed at 4-6 years of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Predictive validity is a fundamental consideration in evaluating the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), particularly for younger children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted four annual assessments of ADHD and functional impairment using multiple informants in 255 probands and matched comparison children who were 4-6 years old in wave 1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly all children who met full criteria for ADHD in wave 1 met full criteria for ADHD over the next 3 years and continued to display marked functional impairment relative to comparison children, even when intelligence, co-occurring psychopathology, and demographic characteristics were controlled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support the validity of the DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD in younger children by demonstrating that the symptoms and associated impairment are likely to persist well into elementary school.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (MC 3077), University of Chicago, 5811 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. blahey@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Lahey
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Pelham
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loney
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kipp
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ehrhardt
authors.forename: Steve S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Erik G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Willcutt
authors.forename: Cynthia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chronis
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Massetti
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013663:Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data