2024-01-01 07:00:30
It is difficult to know precisely how many children suffer from attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) in France, as the figures contradict each other. To date, the precise causes of these disorders are not known, but they seem closely associated with various non-psychiatric comorbidities, as highlighted in a recent INSERM study. Results.
Where do ADHD come from?
To define attention disorders with or without hyperactivity (ADHD)we must remember three central symptoms:
An attention deficit; Motor hyperactivity; Impulsiveness.
In one in 5 children with ADHD, all three symptoms are present simultaneously. In other children, one or two symptoms predominate. ADHD develops during childhood, before the age of 12, persists for a period of at least 6 months and affects the child’s life: their schooling, their social life, their quality of life. They can become a real handicap for the child.
The exact causes of ADHD are not yet known. Several hypotheses have been put forward over the years, and some have been excluded, such as the educational failure of the parents, psychological stress, academic training or the child’s lack of will. On the other hand, a genetic component is strongly suspected and several factors seem to be linked to ADHD:
Factors linked to the neonatal period: prematurity, neonatal suffering, exposure to tobacco, alcohol consumption during pregnancy; A dysfunction of certain brain circuits particularly in the brain areas controlling behavior; A deficiency in iron storage.Read also – Attention disorders with or without hyperactivity (ADHD), what is the role of the intestinal microbiota?
ADHD at the origin of comorbidities or the opposite?
Beyond the causes of ADHD, researchers observe that children affected by these disorders present often other comorbidities (associated conditions)among :
What are the precise links between these comorbidities and ADHD? Does ADHD increase the risk of these comorbidities or do these comorbidities increase the risk of ADHD? French, British, Canadian and Swedish researchers have just carried out a study to answer these questions. The study involved more than 2,000 Canadian children, aged 5 months to 17 years, and followed multiple times from early childhood to adolescence.
Read also – June 12, National ADHD Day (Attention Disorder with or without Hyperactivity)
Essential multidisciplinary care for ADHD
Researchers have considered a wide range of conditions and studied their temporal links to ADHD. Their data made it possible to highlight that the fact of presenting ADHD in early childhood was associated with high Body Mass Index (BMI) in middle childhood and adolescence and accidental injury in adolescence. Moreover, the occurrence of accidental injuries during early childhood was associated with increased risk of ADHD in middle childhood and adolescence. Finally, the existence of restless legs syndrome during early childhood increased the risk of ADHD during childhood.
These data reveal complex temporal links between attention disorders with or without hyperactivity and different non-psychiatric comorbidities. Mental health and physical health are closely linked in these children, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive and multi-professional care for children affected by ADHD. Now, researchers want to go further, taking into account the temporal links between ADHD and comorbidities up to the age of 20 or 25, that is to say at the start of adult life.
Read also – ADHD, a universal consensus for better care
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– A new study sheds light on the link between childhood ADHD symptoms and several non-psychiatric medical comorbidities. presse.inserm.fr. Accessed December 13, 2023.
– Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.www.ameli.fr. Accessed December 13, 2023.
1704163706
#ADHD #links #nonpsychiatric #comorbidities