- A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham and King’s College London reports that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to utilize healthcare services in the two years before their diagnosis, compared to their peers.
- Researchers say these findings emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to consider ADHD as a potential diagnosis, particularly for children seeking medical assistance for common issues such as tonsillitis, asthma, or eczema.
- They say the study sheds light on the challenges faced by young people with ADHD and underscores the importance of early identification and intervention to help prevent long-term health and well-being issues.
In a new study, scientists are reporting that young people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD tend to utilize healthcare services at a rate that is double that of their peers during the two years leading up to their diagnosis.
The research, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, reports that children with ADHD have a two-fold higher likelihood of consulting their general practitioner, being hospitalized, and even undergoing surgical procedures, in comparison to children who do not have ADHD.
The researchers said that children and young people with ADHD frequently consult healthcare professionals, yet current guidelines from organizations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the American Academy of Pediatrics lack specific recommendations for earlier ADHD detection.
The study was led by Vibhore Prasad, a scholar and visiting lecturer at King’s College London and a general practitioner in Nottinghamshire, England.
Prasad explained the key findings to Medical News Today, saying that ADHD is “a common problem in young people.”
He noted that professionals expect 3 to 5 percent of young people worldwide to have this health problem.
“However, in many countries…
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