Estilo comportamental al inicio del segundo año de vida: estudio retrospectivo en escolares afectados de trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad

Abstract

Objectives To study the relationship between behavioural profile of children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the previous behavioural style of these patients as toddlers. Subjects and methods We asked the parents of 50 schoolchildren with ADHD, and those of 30 controls, to fill in a Spanish version of the Toddler Behaviour Questionnaire (TBQ) from their retrospective perception of their children's behaviour as toddlers. TBQ items were grouped by factor analysis; t-Student between the scores of both groups and a multiple correlation analysis of TBQ and DSM-IV-ADHD-RS in each of the groups were used. Results Children in the ADHD group were reported by parents to have had a different toddler behavioural profile in comparison to that of control children ( P<0.05). These differences were associated with adapting to new environments, mood, regularity and stability of play behaviour. A correlation was found between behavioural profile in DSM-IV-ADHD- RS and TBQ. Conclusions The results of this study should be interpreted with caution. However, they suggest that in the fifth trimester of life a particular behavioural style as regards regularity, stability of play, and mood, could indicate a risk of developing ADHD in the future. This behavioural style should be taken into consideration in rearing and early education prospective studies.