title: Subclinical orthostatic pulse pressure confirms mothers' ratings of ADHD in preschoolers.
abstract: Subclinical levels of orthostatic hypotension (OH) have been linked to a variety of emotional and behavioral outcomes across the life span. These connections are not surprising, given the multitude of correlated conditions, including autonomic control, cardiovascular functioning, baroreceptor activity, and dopamine and serotonin. The current study assessed blood pressure regulation in healthy preschool children ages 3-5 (n = 61). The Conner's Parent Rating Scale Revised was used to assess indexes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With the difference between standing and supine pulse pressure as the index of orthostatic blood pressure regulation, the results indicated that efficient pulse pressure regulation was significantly correlated with lower ADHD scores. Poorer orthostatic pulse pressure regulation in response to an orthostatic challenge may be a risk for symptoms of ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, USA. Vanessa.casavant@my.rfums.org
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casavant
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Afsheen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sherwani
authors.forename: Lawrence C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Perlmuter
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology