Relationship between otorhinologic trauma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in children

Abstract

Objevtives: Otorhinologic trauma is an important condition at the ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatient clinic in children. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been identified as a potential risk factor that may contribute to the incidence of traumatic injuries. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is an association between otorhinologic trauma and ADHD symptoms in children.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted between September 2017 and March 2018. Fifty-six pediatric patients admitted to the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) outpatient clinic of a research and training hospital aged between 4 and 18 years were included. The control group consisted of 56 age- and gender-similar children without otorhinologic trauma. Conner's parent Rating Scale (CPRS) was used to evaluate the ADHD symptoms.

Results: The children with otorhinologic trauma had significantly higher mean scores in all subscales, including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, analysis of the study group showed that the hyperactivity score in the subgroup with a history of repetitive injuries were significantly higher than those of the subgroup without a history of repetitive injuries (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that patients admitted to the ENT outpatient clinic for otorhinologic trauma had a higher number of ADHD and ODD symptoms than those who did not have otorhinologic trauma. Psychiatric evaluation for ADHD and ODD should be considered for patients admitted to clinics with similar injuries, especially those who have a history of repetitive injuries.

Keywords: ADHD; Child; Hyperactivity; Otorhinologic trauma.