Sep 1, 2025 06:37 PM
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2...olers.html
INTRO: Young children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder often receive medication just after being diagnosed, which contravenes treatment guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Stanford Medicine-led study has found.
The finding, which was published Aug. 29 in JAMA Network Open, highlights a gap in medical care for 4- and 5-year-olds with ADHD. Treatment guidelines recommend that these young children and their families try six months of behavior therapy before starting ADHD medication.
But pediatricians often prescribe medication immediately upon diagnosis, according to an analysis of medical records from nearly 10,000 young children with ADHD who received care in eight pediatric health networks in the United States.
“We found that many young children are being prescribed medications very soon after their diagnosis of ADHD is documented,” said the study’s lead author, Yair Bannett, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics. “That’s concerning, because we know starting ADHD treatment with a behavioral approach is beneficial; it has a big positive effect on the child as well as on the family.”
In addition, stimulant medications prescribed for the condition cause more side effects in young patients than they do in older children, Bannett said. Before age 6, children’s bodies don’t fully metabolize the drugs.
“We don’t have concerns about the toxicity of the medications for 4- and 5-year-olds, but we do know that there is a high likelihood of treatment failure, because many families decide the side effects outweigh the benefits,” he said. Stimulant medication can make young children more irritable, emotional and aggressive.
ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention and impulsive behavior.
“It’s important to catch it early because we know these kids are at higher risk for having academic problems and not completing school,” Bannett said. Early identification and effective treatment for ADHD improve children’s academic performance. Research has shown that good treatment also helps prepare individuals with ADHD for many aspects of adulthood, such as maintaining employment, having successful relationships and avoiding trouble with the law... (MORE - details)
INTRO: Young children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder often receive medication just after being diagnosed, which contravenes treatment guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Stanford Medicine-led study has found.
The finding, which was published Aug. 29 in JAMA Network Open, highlights a gap in medical care for 4- and 5-year-olds with ADHD. Treatment guidelines recommend that these young children and their families try six months of behavior therapy before starting ADHD medication.
But pediatricians often prescribe medication immediately upon diagnosis, according to an analysis of medical records from nearly 10,000 young children with ADHD who received care in eight pediatric health networks in the United States.
“We found that many young children are being prescribed medications very soon after their diagnosis of ADHD is documented,” said the study’s lead author, Yair Bannett, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics. “That’s concerning, because we know starting ADHD treatment with a behavioral approach is beneficial; it has a big positive effect on the child as well as on the family.”
In addition, stimulant medications prescribed for the condition cause more side effects in young patients than they do in older children, Bannett said. Before age 6, children’s bodies don’t fully metabolize the drugs.
“We don’t have concerns about the toxicity of the medications for 4- and 5-year-olds, but we do know that there is a high likelihood of treatment failure, because many families decide the side effects outweigh the benefits,” he said. Stimulant medication can make young children more irritable, emotional and aggressive.
ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention and impulsive behavior.
“It’s important to catch it early because we know these kids are at higher risk for having academic problems and not completing school,” Bannett said. Early identification and effective treatment for ADHD improve children’s academic performance. Research has shown that good treatment also helps prepare individuals with ADHD for many aspects of adulthood, such as maintaining employment, having successful relationships and avoiding trouble with the law... (MORE - details)