Cutaneous findings in children and adolescents with attention deficit
and hyperactivity disorder
Abstract
Background/Aim: Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is
the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. Only one
study was found in literature which examined cutaneous findings in ADHD
so far. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the cutaneous
findings of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and to compare
the incidence of these findings with healthy controls. Methods:
Forty-six patients diagnosed with ADHD according to The Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-V) criteria
and 50 healthy controls with no ADHD symptoms who had similar
characteristics to the patient group in terms of sociodemographic
characteristics such as age and gender were included in the study. All
the patients underwent whole body dermatological examination and
pathological findings in the skin, hairy skin and nails in the patient
and control group were recorded. Results: The most common finding in the
patient group was found as onychophagy and/or periungual skin biting
with a rate of 76.1%. In addition, statistically significant difference
was found between the two groups in terms of xerosis, prurigo and
allergy history. Conclusions: It is important to be careful in terms of
cutaneous findings that may accompany ADHD in terms of both early
treatment and also for preventing possible complications. In addition,
determination of these findings will guide future studies in terms of
identifying the common aetiology of ADHD and some cutaneous diseases.