Neurofibromatosis and Attentional Deficits: An Illustrative Example of the Common Association of Medical Causes with Behavioural Syndromes, Implications for General Child Mental Health Services

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant gene disorder. In addition to well described physical and cognitive features certain behavioural patterns have been reported. Clear association has been shown between NF1 and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with up to half of children with NF1 fulfilling DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This article aims to increase awareness among child mental health workers of the common link between genetic conditions (like NF1) and ADHD, thus improving diagnosis and intervention.