New research from Perth's Telethon Kids Institute has revealed a significant association between kids diagnosed with severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and higher rates of early childhood hospital admissions.
In the largest international study of its kind, Telethon Kids Institute researchers looked at nearly 12,000 children and adolescents and compared their hospital diagnosis and admissions data between birth and 4 years of age to see how it related to subsequent diagnosis rates for ADHD.
Their findings, published in online journal European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, showed a strong association between the rates of injuries and illnesses in the first four years of life and those kids who went on to be later diagnosed with severe cases of ADHD.
"What we found was an across-the-board increased risk of early injury and illness in the children later diagnosed with ADHD than in the children who weren't," said Lead Author Professor Desiree Silva.
"On the whole, our research showed that kids who were later diagnosed and treated for ADHD were 70% more likely to be admitted to hospital when under 4 years old."
"The study revealed a two-fold increased risk of these children being admitted with range of illnesses including middle ear disease, tonsilar and adenoid disease and epilepsy, as well as more than twice the risk for poisoning." said Professor Silva
Research also showed a 70% increase in risk for being admitted with infections, as well as head injuries and early gastro oesophageal reflux. The risk of sleep disorders was 81% higher, burns 43% higher and respiratory diseases 50% higher.
"These are significant findings that show a very strong relationship between early childhood hospital admissions and later diagnosis of severe ADHD in some children." said Professor Silva.
"What we need to do now is expand this research to determine if these increased risk levels are early indicators of ADHD or potential causes"
"Whilst much of our previous work has looked at ADHD risk factors before birth, this research really opens news doors into an area of ADHD research that could provide important insight into the early developing years."
"We know that healthy brain development in early childhood is crucial so if we can determine any conditions that may disrupt this process and lead to life-long effects then we may get a much clearer picture of how to prevent or treat them."
Further research is now recommended into the relationship between early childhood illness and the subsequent developmental of ADHD later in life.