[Recent advances on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder]

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the main aspects of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, including history, epidemiology, etiology, neurobiology, clinical features, comorbidities, diagnosis, outcome and treatment.

Sources of data: Comprehensive, non-systematic review of the literature on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Summary of the findings: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has a neurobiological basis, and is highly prevalent in children and adolescents. Treatment is very efficacious, including the use of medication in most the cases.

Conclusions: Pediatricians are in a privileged position to detect this disorder early and to start the initial management of less severe cases and of those not complicated by extensive comorbidities.