Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated perinatal risk factors in preterm children

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD and its association with perinatal risk factors in preterm children at the age of 5 Material and Method: The cohort was derived from children born between 30 36 weeks of gestation and hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Children who have survived beyond age 5 without a history of congenital anomaly neurological or chronic disease and mental motor retardation 106 children who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated when they were five years old The Perinatal Risk Factors Form was completed for each child All children and their parents were interviewed using the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for school aged children present and lifetime version for psychiatric diagnosis Approval from the ethics committee HEK 08 3 4 and written assent from all parents were obtained Results: 20 8 of the children were diagnosed as ADHD Diagnosis of ADHD was more common in children who had smaller gestational age and lower birth weight who developed respiratory distress syndrome received surfactant therapy and mechanical ventilation treatment and had longer hospitalization period ADHD was less prevalent among children from high socioeconomic status families Among the perinatal factors assessed gestational age was found to be the main predictor for ADHD Conclusions: In the long term follow up of premature children with regard to perinatal risk factors psychopathologies and especially ADHD should be taken into account for early recognition and intervention Turk Arch Ped 2013; 48: 315 22