title: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among children aged 5-17 years in the United States, 1998-2009.
abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders of childhood. The symptoms of ADHD (inattention, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity) begin in childhood and often persist into adulthood. These symptoms frequently lead to functional impairment in academic, family, and social settings. The causes and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but genetic factors likely play a role. Diagnosis of ADHD involves several steps, including a medical exam; a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms based on reports from parents, teachers, and sometimes the child; and an evaluation for coexisting conditions. Recent national surveys have documented an increase in the prevalence of ADHD during the past decade. This report presents recent trends in prevalence and differences between population subgroups of children aged 5-17 years.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA.
authors.forename: Lara J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Akinbami
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Patricia N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Pastor
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Reuben
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data