Prevalence of attention deficit disorder among preschool age children.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood onset psychiatric disorders. Although the onset of ADHD is prior to the age of seven years, there is a paucity of data on the prevalence of the disorder in preschool age children. This study was performed to determine the prevalence rate of ADHD in preschool age children in kindergartens of south west, Mumbai. One thousand two hundred fifty (599 males and 651 females) children aged between 4-6 years, were selected from 40 kindergartens in 6 localities in south west Mumbai. The Conner's index questionnaire was completed for each child by teachers and parents. Parents of children whose scores were positive for ADHD (>15) were interviewed by a psychiatrist and the ADHD was diagnosed based on DSM-IV criteria Schedule for affective disorders. One hundred fifty two (12.2%) children were diagnosed to have ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD in preschool age school in south west of Mumbai is consistent with previous studies in other countries. This study recommends the need for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in preschool age children.