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Morning News

Diagnosing ADHD in Focus as National Conference on Children's Mental Health Concludes

Aired September 19, 2000 - 9:31 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The surgeon general concludes a national conference on children's mental health this morning, and he's expected to release recommendations for treating and diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. That's also known as ADHD. It's a disorder that some say is often overdiagnosed.

Our Rhonda Rowland is here to tell us more about that.

Good morning, Rhonda.

RHONDA ROWLAND, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Daryn.

And a major challenge with ADHD is diagnosis. In a study released earlier this year, experts said a child can get an accurate diagnosis, but it requires several steps: two to three visits with a physician, such as a pediatrician. The first visit should last at least an hour or two. In addition, reports or opinions are needed from parents and teachers.

This method takes time and is subjective since it relies on opinion, so the diagnosis may be unreliable. That's why researchers are looking for objective or fool-proof diagnostic tests. One approach: a chemical called Altrapane (ph). Studies show it can distinguish between the brains of adults with ADHD and those that are normal. Altrapane goes to a part of the brain known to be smaller in ADHD patients. It's then measured by a device called a Spec Scan.

Other researchers are examining the use of simple EEG brain scans to distinguish ADHD children from normal children. In a study of over 400 children, researchers were able to see a difference in speed of activity in a portion of the brain.

These diagnostic tools, as well as several others, are considered experimental. It may be still another three to five years before they're actually ready for routine use, Daryn.

KAGAN: Getting back to our original point about diagnosis, how big is the range of kids who have been diagnosed?

ROWLAND: Daryn, the range is huge. And this is why the surgeon general's office is so concerned and they're trying to come up with some recommendations here. And we have a graphic that we'll try -- that we can show you to give you an idea.

KAGAN: There it is.

ROWLAND: The national average is 3 to 5 percent of all children. That is, 3 to 5 percent of all children in the United States actually have ADHD. But there was a startling study released about a year ago and it was done on 30,000 children in a Virginia community. And it found that 17 percent of White boys were diagnosed with ADHD, 9 percent of African-American boys, 7 percent of white girls, and 3 percent of African-American girls.

And the reason this is such a concern, Daryn, is because many children who have ADHD, of course, are prescribed Ritalin, which is a stimulant type drug. For children who actually have ADHD, this drug really is quite beneficial. But obviously, Daryn, you don't want to give a child who doesn't have it the drug. And then there are a lot of children who could benefit who are not getting it. Actually, there's about 2 percent of all children on the drug, and they believe as many as 4 percent could actually benefit.

KAGAN: So the bottom line, talk to your pediatrician.

ROWLAND: Bottom line, that's right, and get a thorough evaluation.

KAGAN: Very good. Rhonda Rowland, thanks for joining us.

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