Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and infantile colic

Abstract

Aim: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and infantile colic (IC) are heterogeneous diseases which's cause are unknown. Besides the different hypotheses in the etiology of both disorders maldevelopment in the metabolism of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system have been implicated. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between IC and ADHD due to possible common etiological factor as maldevelopment in neurochemical process.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out. The sample included 114 (77.2% male) children who were medically diagnosed with AD/HD and 149 (67.1% male) healthy children who were chosen from the same hospital's pediatric clinic as the control group. Parents and teachers completed the Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) and the patients were evaluated with The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). The parents were asked questions on a survey form filled out. IC was defined according to Wessel's modified criteria.

Results: The mean age of AD/HD group was 10.14±2.48 years and 9.94±2.34 years in the non-AD/HD group. The rate of IC in AD/HD and non-AD/HD groups were 50.0% and 30.2%, respectively and the difference was statistically significant between two groups (P=0.001). Duration of IC was similar in the groups (P=143).

Conclusion: IC may be a postnatal risk factor and marker for AD/HD during childhood. Both diseases may have a common mechanism. Such infants need to be examined and followed up more intensively.