Demographic and Clinical Predictors of Hospitalization in Preschoolers With ADHD. Issue 11 (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peskin, Miriam; Rotem, Ann; Golubchik, Pavel; Weizman, Abraham; Manor, Iris
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 23:Issue 11(2019)
• Page Start: 1284
• Page End: 1290
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: preschoolers -- ADHD -- developmental comorbidity -- impairment; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054718772145
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: This chart review study characterized demographic and clinical indicators of the need for hospitalization in preschoolers with ADHD.Method: Medical records of preschoolers with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR ) ADHD during 2009-2012 were systematically reviewed. The cohort included 111 children (aged 5.13 ± 0.55 years, 77.47% boys). The demographic and clinical variables of hospitalized at a day-care unit ( n = 30) and nonhospitalized ( n = 81) preschoolers were compared.Results: Hospitalized preschoolers were younger ( p < .0001), had higher rates of unmarried mothers ( p < .001), and a higher number of comorbidities. The number of inattentive/hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms was similar in both groups. Neurodevelopmental comorbidity ( p < .0001), but not externalized ( p = .82) or internalized ( p = .20) psychopathology, was significantly higher in the hospitalized group.Conclusion: ADHD severity in preschoolers tends to be associated with younger age, specific parenthood constellations, and a high rate of neurodevelopmental, but not other, comorbidities. These findings emphasize the importance of the neurodevelopmental context in planning ADHD interventions at preschool age.