More than one in 10 US children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states.
According to the research, 6.4 million Americans have ADHD. The study found that the number of children diagnosed with the neurological disorder increased between 2003 and 2004 and 2011 to 2012 by 42 percent.
Nearly 11 percent of youngsters aged between 4 and 17 suffer from ADHD. The CDC report found that the number of children receiving medication for ADHD saw an increase of 28 percent from 2007 to 2011. Almost 6 percent of Americans below 17 are under medication for the disorder, which translates to around 3.5 million children.
"This finding suggests that there are a large number of young children who could benefit from the early initiation of behavioral therapy, which is recommended as the first-line treatment for preschool children with ADHD," said study co-author Susanna Visser.
For the study, the researchers analyzed the data collected from 2011 to 2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH).
The experts stated that doctors nowadays are looking out for ADHD symptoms and more number of parents are becoming aware of the condition and reporting it.
The research team also found that half of children with ADHD were diagnosed before the age of 6. But those with severe ADHD were diagnosed by the age of 4.
ADHD children have problem controlling their impulsive behavior and lack attention. Symptoms of the disorder are talking too much, day dreaming, forgetting or losing belongings, careless mistakes, difficult in mixing with other children, unable to resist temptation and fidgeting.
A recent study warned doctors and parents about the over-prescription of the drugs, mainly Adderall or Ritalin, to ADHD patients. Health risks of over-dosage include rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and seizures.
