The Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in preschool children in Mashhad, North-East of Iran

Ebrahim Abdolahian MD*, Iraj Vosoogh MD**

Abstract

Backgroun: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of most common childhood-Onset psychiatric disorders. Although the onset of ADHD is paucity of data on the prevalence of the disorder in preschool-age children.

This study was performed to determine the prevalence rate of ADHD in preschool-age children in kindergartens of Mashhad, North-East of Iran.

Methods: one thousand eighty-three (553 males and 530 females) children aged between five and six years, were selected at random form 155 kindergartens in ten districts of Mashhad. The ten-item Conner s index questionnaire was completed for each child by teachers and parents.

Parents of children whose scores were positive for ADHD (>15) were interviewed by a psychiatrist and the ADHD was diagnosed based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizphrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version.

Results: One hundred thirty-three (12.3%;CI5%;10.3-14.2%) children were diagnosed to have ADHD in preschool-age Children in North-East of Iran is consistent previous studies in other countries. This study recommends the need for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in preschool-age chidren