[Behavioural and neuropsychological characteristics of children of both sexes, between 6 and 11 years of age, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].

INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) gives rise to behavioural and neuropsychological alterations. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to compare the behavioural and neuropsychological skills of 6 to 11-year-old children of both sexes, who have been diagnosed with ADHD, with that of a control group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From a total of 1200 schoolchildren, whose parents and teachers answered a brief ADHD screening survey, we selected 112 participants who were then submitted to a psychological clinical interview and a neurological examination in order to assign them to one of three groups: combined-type ADHD, inattentive ADHD and a control group. Behaviour was assessed by applying the Conners' Rating Scales and the multidimensional behaviour survey. Cognitive capacities were assessed by applying a neuropsychological battery for attention, memory, visuomotor and verbal skills, and executive functions. Groups were compared by means of a Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric univariate analysis of variance. In the case of pairs of groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was employed.
RESULTS: The behavioural scales showed greater alterations in the case groups, with more problems in the combined-type ADHD group. Neuropsychologically, significantly lower performances were observed in the ADHD groups in sustained attention, executive function, semantic and phonological fluency tests.
CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural disorders are the most apparent in ADHD. The neuropsychological alterations that were found were similar to those reported in other studies conducted in Colombia.