Understanding ADHD in Children

ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a behavioral disorder that creates abnormal levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms can really affect a child’s day-to-day activities.

About a century ago, ADHD was considered a disorder, which caused unruly behavior and hyperactivity, mostly observed in boys. Then, it was noticed that in children recovering from the viral brain infection known as encephalitis, attention dysfunction and conduct behavior issues were frequently occurring. However, some children who were never diagnosed with encephalitis also showed these kinds of systems and were then labeled to have “Minimum or Minimal Brain Dysfunction.” This title, including other terms, such as, “hyperkinetic syndrome” were given to children before the 1970s, that today we would state as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Today, about 3-9% of young people in the country have been affected by ADHD. Interestingly, there is about a 3:1 boy to girl ratio with ADHD. While the disorder is usually associated with children, ADHD also affects many adults. It is estimated that about half of all children diagnosed with ADHD do not fully outgrow the disorder, as 3-5% of adults over the age of 20 have the disorder.

In regards to treatment, about 3.5 million adolescents between the ages of 3 and 19 have been subscribed psychostimulant medication. As a child ages, hyperactivity may decrease yet lingering hyperactive symptoms will still affect the child’s life as an adult. Struggling with time management, quality sleep, frustration and self-motivation are some of the symptoms that can affect adults who, was diagnosed with ADHD as children.

Luckily, there is a variety of medications as well as natural, alternative treatments for ADHD available today. It is important to learn about these various treatments and try the ones you feel would be the best options for your child. With the right treatment, ADHD can be effectively controlled and your child can live a normal, healthy life! For more information, visit Timeout – Attention Deficit Remedy

Pertussis and Measles vacinations

Pediatricians in the United States are seriously concerned over the increasing rates of pertussis and measles among children. For example, the number of cases of pertussis among American children increased three folds in the past 10 years. This trend is attributed to the declining rates of immunization among children. 

Both pertussis and measles used to be among the most common causes of death among children prior to the introduction of vaccines. It has been estimated that during the past 100 years vaccines saved about 300,000,000 lives worldwide. Collective memories of the horrors of having these diseases, thanks to the vaccines have disappeared. 

As a result, pediatricians have a difficult time convincing parents of the importance of vaccinations. Some parents don’t trust the medical community and think that chances of developing complications following vaccinations are higher than the chances of contracting pertussis or measles and some 

Herd immunity is a well know epidemiological phenomenon, which is responsible for the community to be protected for as long as something like 90-95% of the people in the community are immune. If the percentage of immune the population drops to below 90%, the effect of herd immunity disappears. In other words, if everyone in a given community expects everyone else, except themselves to do the right thing, the community has a good chance of losing the herd immunity effect and exposing children to devastating illnesses. 

The problem is complicated by the fact that immunity against pertussis is gone by the age of 40 and adults traveling abroad can acquire pertussis and bring it back to their families unknowingly. Pertussis in adults has a mild manifestation and may go undiagnosed and untreated. There are a small number of children for whom, illnesses immunization is contraindicated, this is usually due to some underlying chronic and serious conditions. Ideally, these are the children who should rely on herd immunity for their protection.

Sergei Shushunov, MD

Probiotic supplements do not reduce frequency of middle ear infections in infants

112 children ages 7 to13 months who received commercially available preparation of probiotics named Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus salivarius and Lactobacillus rhamnosus had similar number of  ear infections as 112 children who received no probiotic supplementation.

This is a disappointing, but not unanticipated finding. Because breast milk contains probiotics and breast milk diet is associated with lower incidence of ear infections, inferring that adding probiotics to artificial baby formula may reduce incidence of ear infections was a stretch. Besides probiotics breast milk contains antibodies against many bugs and other compounds with antibacterial and antiviral properties, most likely responsible for this particular health benefit of breast milk.

Sergei Shushunov, MD