A 5-year Retrospective Review Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Children In Zaria, North West Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that impair an individuals functioning and development. Children with ADHD are at risk of poor academic performance, dropping out of school, low self-esteem, teenage pregnancies, engaging in criminal behaviour, sustaining physical injuries and poor social skills. Objective: We carried out a 5- year retrospective review of cases of ADHD in our Paediatrics Neurology Clinic to determine the epidemiology, symptomatology and risk factors for ADHD in our setting. Materials and Methods: Case folders of all children with an established diagnosis of ADHD who were being seen at the paediatric neurology clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2019 were retrieved and relevant information such as sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms, age at presentation and perinatal or childhood central nervous system insult were extracted. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info statistical software version 7. Results: A total of thirty (30) children were on follow-up for ADHD in the Paediatrics Neurology clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria during the study period. Twenty-four of them were males (80%) while 6 were females (20%). Their ages at presentation ranged from 2 to 15 years for boys (mean±SD =5.2 ±2.99) and from 2 to 5 years for girls (mean±SD =3.0 ±1.26). More than half (63.3% n= 19/30) were less than 5 years of age as at the time of first presentation to the clinic. Majority, (93.3% ,n= 28/30) had a history of CNS insult prior to onset of ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly being seen in environment, most cases occur in boys less than 5 years of age. Avoiding injuries to a childs central nervous system early in life can significantly decrease the likelihood of ADHD in them.