[Behavioural and neuropsychological characteristics of children of both sexes, between 6 and 11 years of age, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].
BACKGROUND
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) gives rise to behavioural and neuropsychological alterations.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to compare the behavioural and neuropsychological skills of 6 to 11-year-old children of both sexes, who have been diagnosed with ADHD, with that of a control group.


METHODS
From a total of 1200 schoolchildren, whose parents and teachers answered a brief ADHD screening survey, we selected 112 participants who were then submitted to a psychological clinical interview and a neurological examination in order to assign them to one of three groups: combined-type ADHD, inattentive ADHD and a control group. Behaviour was assessed by applying the Conners' Rating Scales and the multidimensional behaviour survey. Cognitive capacities were assessed by applying a neuropsychological battery for attention, memory, visuomotor and verbal skills, and executive functions. Groups were compared by means of a Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric univariate analysis of variance. In the case of pairs of groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was employed.


RESULTS
The behavioural scales showed greater alterations in the case groups, with more problems in the combined-type ADHD group. Neuropsychologically, significantly lower performances were observed in the ADHD groups in sustained attention, executive function, semantic and phonological fluency tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioural disorders are the most apparent in ADHD. The neuropsychological alterations that were found were similar to those reported in other studies conducted in Colombia.
Puentes-Rozo
P J
PJ
Universidad Simon Bolivar, Barrarquilla, Colombia. pepuentes@hotmail.com
Barceló-Martínez
E
E
Pineda
D A
DA
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests