[ADHD prevalence in four Brazilian public schools].
OBJECTIVE
To define the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children from four Brazilian public elementary schools.


METHODS
Study population consisted of all students from the first through fourth grades, age range 6-12 years, who attended four public elementary schools (CIEPs). This prevalence study comprised two steps. During the first step, school teachers screened their own pupils for ADHD using diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Screening resulted in two groups of children: suspects and non-suspects. In the second step, parents of suspect children were invited for an interview with the researchers, during which they filled ADHD symptoms questionnaire, and in addition a complete history, pediatric physical exam, and neurological exam were performed. At the end of this step, students were classified as "cases" or "undetermined", i.e., those who partially met ADHD diagnostic criteria.


RESULTS
From a population of 602 students, 461 were recruited. Considering all four elementary schools, ADHD prevalence was 13%. Male to female ratio was 2:1. The most frequent ADHD subtype was the combined one, accounting for 61.7% of all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
ADHD prevalence in a sample of school-aged children (13%) was higher than the rate that traditionally has been mentioned (3-5%). Boys were more frequently affected than girls and the most prevalent ADHD subtype was the combined subtype, and the latter two findings are concordant with previous studies.
Fontana
Rosiane da Silva
Rda S
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Brazil. rosianefontana@superig.com.br
Vasconcelos
Márcio Moacyr de
MM
Werner
Jairo
J
Góes
Fernanda Veiga de
FV
Liberal
Edson Ferreira
EF
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data