Clinical and functional characteristics of children and young adults with cerebral palsy and co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Background

There is emerging research that show children and young adults (CYAs) with cerebral palsy (CP) are at higher risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the clinical and functional characteristics of CYAs with these co-occurring disorders.

Aim

To estimate associations between a diagnosis of ADHD among CYAs with CP and clinical and functional characteristics.

Methods

This retrospective, cross-sectional study used data from the electronic health records of CYAs (aged 4–26 years) with CP (n = 1145). We used bivariate and multivariable analyses to estimate associations between an ADHD diagnosis, CP type, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, speech or language disorder, and intellectual disability.

Results

18.1 % of CYAs with CP had a diagnosis of ADHD. CYAs with spastic-bilateral CP had lower odds of ADHD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.58; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.35–0.96). Odds of having ADHD were significantly lower for those with GMFCS levels III-V (AOR = 0.10; 95 % CI, 0.06–0.15).

Conclusions

Our study found that a diagnosis of ADHD among CYAs with CP was associated with greater clinical and functional impairments compared to counterparts without ADHD. Findings highlight the need to screen for both conditions because of the high comorbidity rates in this population.