Exploring the quantity and quality of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and intelligence in children with cerebral palsy: a case-control study.

UNLABELLED

To evaluate whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms differ across cerebral palsy (CP) and the relationship of these symptoms to CP disease data. Each of the three groups (CP, ADHD, and control) included 22 volunteers, aged 6-18. The CP group was divided into two groups, with and without ADHD (CP + ADHD and CP-ADHD). The groups were compared in terms of clinical data, ADHD symptoms, and intelligence levels. ADHD was reported in 36.4% of the CP group and 9.1% of the control group (p = 0.031). The rate of moderate/severe motor disability was higher (p = 0.052), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) (total, performance, verbal) scores were lower in the CP + ADHD group compared to the CP-ADHD group (p = 0.005, p = 0.005, p = 0.002). Cognitive problems/inattention scores were higher in the CP group compared to the control group (p = 0.015). WISC-R (total, performance, verbal) scores were lower in the CP group compared to the ADHD group (p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.047) and the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ADHD is more common in CP and may be seen in a predominantly inattentive presentation. It is related to a worse motor disability and intelligence level in CP.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Compared to the general population, ADHD is reported to be more common in children with CP.

WHAT IS NEW

• ADHD may be seen in a predominantly inattentive presentation rather than the other presentations in children with CP. • ADHD is related to a worse motor disability and intelligence level in CP.