ADHD and Prematurity
Updated June 08, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common brain disorder that affects a child's ability to pay attention. Children with ADHD may have trouble focusing and controlling their behavior, and may be hyperactive.
Attention deficits are more common in children who were premature at birth. A preemie's risk of ADHD increases the earlier he or she was born. Compared with children who were born at term, a premature baby's ADHD risk is:
- Before 29 weeks: 200% more likely
- 29 to 32 weeks: 60% more likely
- 33 to 34 weeks: 40% more likely
- 35 to 36 weeks: 30% more likely
When ADHD is diagnosed and treated early, its symptoms can be greatly reduced. For that reason, parents of all children at risk for ADHD, including preemies, should learn the signs of ADHD and where to go for help.
Symptoms of ADHD
There are three main types of ADHD: primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, and combined inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive. The first two subtypes have different symptoms, and the third combines the two.
It's important to remember that not every child who has symptoms of ADHD actually has the disorder. There are many factors that can cause inattention or hyperactivity in children, including depression, anxiety, and conduct disorders. Also, many symptoms of ADHD are part of normal child development. If your child has the following symptoms, talk to your pediatrician about getting a full evaluation for your child.
Primarily Inattentive ADHD:
- Has trouble paying attention
- Makes careless errors
- Seems not to listen
- Is easily distracted
- Has trouble following directions
- Gets bored with a task quickly
- Has trouble with organization
- Changes activities frequently
- Fidgets or squirms in a chair
- Talks excessively
- Seems to be constantly in motion
- Has trouble with quiet tasks or activities
- Blurts out answers before a question is finished
- Often interrupts conversations or activities
- Has trouble waiting their turn
- Has trouble sitting or standing still
I Think My Child Has ADHD - What Do I Do?
Parents usually start to question whether their child has ADHD in one of two ways. Either the parents have noticed that their child seems to have symptoms of ADHD, or a teacher or child care worker makes the suggestion.
If you suspect that your child has ADHD, start making notes about the behaviors that concern you and how these behaviors affect your child, in school and at home. Make an appointment with your pediatrician or with a child psychologist who works with ADHD to begin the evaluation. There isn't one medical test that can diagnose ADHD, so the evaluation process has several different parts:
- Parent and child interviews
- Behavior rating scales, completed by parents and teachers
- Medical evaluation to rule out other medical issues that could cause symptoms of ADHD
- Intelligence screening and testing for learning disabilities
- Psychological evaluation to rule out mental health problems that could cause symptoms of ADHD
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you'll work with your child's doctors to develop a treatment plan. Treatment for ADHD can include behavior therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. You'll also work with your child's school to develop an individual education plan (IEP) to make sure that your child's school is providing the best learning environment for your child.
Read More:Treating ADHD in Children Born Prematurely
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics. "ADHD." HealthyChildren.org Retrieved from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/default.aspx
Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). "Understanding ADHD." Retrieved from http://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD.aspx
Lindstrom, K., Linblad, F., and Hjern, A. (2011) "Preterm Birth and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Schoolchildren." Pediatrics. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/04/18/peds.2010-1279.full.pdf
National Institute of Mental Health. "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/index.shtml