Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder increasing (2.7X in US Blacks under age 18 in 20 years)

Created September 2018

Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 1997-2016

Guifeng Xu, MD1,2; Lane Strathearn, MBBS, FRACP, PhD1,3; Buyun Liu, MD, PhD2; et al Binrang Yang, MD, PhD1,4; Wei Bao, MD, PhD2

JAMA Network Open. 2018;1(4):e181471. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1471

ADHD Rates table is from the PDF | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Age | 1997 | 1999 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | | Age 4-11 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.7 | | Age 12-17 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 10.8 | 11.9 | 12.0 | 11.3 | 13.5 | * * ADHD category listing has items along with related searches** * Vitamin D patented to treat ADHD – June 2018 * ADHD reduced by just 3,000 IU of Vitamin D and methylphenidate for just 12 weeks – RCT Feb 2018 * ADHD in children 2.6 X more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis Feb 2018 * Autism and ADHD type disorders were 14X more likely in survey of extreme preterm vaccinated infants - April 2017 * ADHD 2 times more likely if poor Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio – meta-analysis May 2016 * ADHD decreased by 11% for each 10 ng increase in vitamin D in early pregnancy – April 2015 * ADHD in Arab countries – vitamin D is the only changeable risk factor – review April 2015 --- 1. # Items in both categories Skin- Dark and Youth are listed here: {category}

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Key Points

  • Question What are the long-term trends in prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among US children and adolescents over the past 2 decades?

  • Findings In this study of data from 186 457 children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years from the National Health Interview Survey, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted annually from 1997 to 2016, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in US children and adolescents increased from 6.1% in 1997-1998 to 10.2% in 2015-2016.

  • Meaning Among US children and adolescents, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder increased significantly between 1997 and 2016.

  • Importance Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in US children and adolescents. It is important to understand the most recent prevalence of ADHD and its long-term trends over the past decades.

Objective To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed ADHD and 20-year trends from 1997 to 2016 among US children and adolescents using nationally representative data.

Design, Setting, and Participants In this population-based, cross-sectional survey study (National Health Interview Survey), surveys were conducted annually from 1997 to 2016. A total of 186 457 children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years from 1997 to 2016 were included in this analysis. Data were collected through in-person household interviews with a parent or guardian. The data analysis was performed in January 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosed by a physician or other health care professional.

Results Among the included 186 457 children and adolescents (96 017 boys [51.5%], 51 350 Hispanic [27.5%], 91 374 non-Hispanic white [49.0%], 28 808 non-Hispanic black [15.5%], 14 925 non-Hispanic other race [8.0%]), 14 704 children and adolescents (7.9%; 10 536 boys [71.7%], 2497 Hispanic [17.0%], 9010 non-Hispanic white [61.3%], 2328 non-Hispanic black [15.8%], and 869 non-Hispanic other race [5.9%]) were reported to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. The weighted prevalence of diagnosed ADHD was 10.2% (95% CI, 9.6%-10.8%) in 2015-2016. There were significant sex and racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence of diagnosed ADHD. The prevalence was 14.0% (95% CI, 13.1%-15.0%) in boys and 6.3% (95% CI, 5.6%-7.0%) in girls, 6.1% (95% CI, 5.2%-7.0%) in Hispanic individuals, 12.0% (95% CI, 11.1%-12.9%) in non-Hispanic white individuals, and 12.8% (95% CI, 11.0%-14.5%) in non-Hispanic black individuals. Over the 20-year period, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed ADHD in US children and adolescents increased from 6.1% in 1997-1998 to 10.2% in 2015-2016 (P for trend <.001). All subgroups by age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and geographic regions showed a significant increase in the prevalence from 1997-1998 to 2015-2016.

Conclusions and Relevance This study’s findings suggest that among US children and adolescents, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed ADHD increased significantly between 1997-1998 and 2015-2016. This study suggests that additional research is needed to better understand the cause of this apparent rise in prevalence.

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