[Clinical variability and characteristics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in girls].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition essentially characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and has a prevalence of around 5%. Because it is a biological disorder, both boys and girls with ADHD display these same symptoms, but more boys are diagnosed with ADHD (in a ratio of 3 to 1).

AIM:

To examine the differences between the two sexes, their prevalence and possible female subtypes in ADHD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective study of 172 patients of both sexes who were attended as hospital neuropaediatric outpatients in the year 2004 according to Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV-TR) criteria. Their ages ranged between 4 and 14 years and they were divided into three groups: under 6, between 6 and 10, and from 11 to 14 years old. The girls were subdivided into four subtypes, in order of greater to lesser prevalence: shy, hypersociable, hyperactive and changeable.

RESULTS:

Both sexes showed the same response to methylphenidate. Only the group of boys presented other comorbidities such as negativism and conduct disorders; approximately 25% of them required treatment with atypical neuroleptic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS:

a) Girls have certain specific clinical manifestations within the three common symptoms; b) methylphenidate is equally effective in both sexes; c) only boys display other disorders such as negativism and conduct disorders; and d) the brains of males and females are quite similar, but symptoms are expressed differently depending on environments and levels.

• Authors: J R Valdizán, E Mercado, A Mercado-Undanivia
• Journal: Revista de neurologia (Rev Neurol) Vol. 44 Suppl 2 Pg. S27-30 (Mar 02 2007) ISSN: 1576-6578 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Características y variabilidad clínica del trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad en niñas.
• PMID: 17347940 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (diagnosis, epidemiology, physiopathology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index