# Clinico-Demographic Profile of Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Presenting to a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study describes the characteristics and treatment patterns of children with ADHD in Nepal, highlighting common comorbidities and medication use.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed clinico-demographic profile of ADHD in Nepal, emphasizing comorbidities and medication trends.

## Key findings

- ADHD is highly prevalent in Nepal, with 585 cases diagnosed over two and a half years.
- Common comorbidities include Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability.
- Clonidine and Atomoxetine are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD in this population.

## Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. ADHD leads to significant impairment in overall functioning of the child. There is limited information concerning the clinical scenario of ADHD within Nepal. The study aims to determine the clinico-demographic profile and pattern of medication use in the treatment of ADHD.

This study retrospectively examines the records of children diagnosed with ADHD at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Unit, Kanti Children's Hospital (KCH), Nepal. Approval for the study was granted by KCH's Institutional Review Board. The analysis focused on data extracted from hospital records of ADHD patients spanning from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2023 encompassing two and a half years.

A total of 585 children were diagnosed with ADHD, with a mean age 7±3.04 years. The majority 501 (85.64%) were male, and 377 (64.44%) were from the school going age group (6 to 11 years). The prevalent psychiatric comorbidities included Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at 102 (17.43%), Intellectual Disability (ID) at 93(15.89%), and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) at 36 (6.15%). The commonly used medication was Clonidine 165 (28.20%) followed by Atomoxetine 154 (26.32%) and Risperidone 65 (11.11%).

The study indicates that ADHD is highly prevalent in Nepal. Comorbidities like ASD and ID are frequently seen which further necessitates the need for structured assessments and multidisciplinary approaches to address ADHD. In our context with limited treatment options, the management of ADHD is extremely challenging.