Treatment of Preschool-Age Children with ADHD: A Cautionary Note

Most preschool children with moderate-to-severe ADHD continue a chronic course with substantial symptom severity even with treatment.

In 2006, the first randomized placebo-controlled trial of preschool children (age range, 3.0–5.5 years) with moderate-to-severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrated short-term effectiveness and long-term (40 week) safety of methylphenidate (MPH; JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jan 10 2007). Now, investigators report 6-year follow-up in 207 children (68% of original cohort; 75% male) at a mean age of 10 years. During follow-up, medications and other therapies were prescribed by community clinicians outside of the study protocol; about 60% were receiving MPH at years 3 and 6.

Parent and teacher rating scales documented a sustained decrease in symptom severity at year 3, but symptoms remained stable in the moderate-to-severe rang…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics