Stimulant treatment of ADHD and risk of sudden death in children.

摘要

Stimulants have been used for the treatment of children with developmentally abnormal levels of motor activity, impulsivity, and inattention for more than 60 years. The validity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a clinical construct is well documented, and the effectiveness of stimulants in improving symptoms has been repeatedly proven in many controlled clinical trials and by meta-analyses (1,2). Since the 1980s, their use has increased, and it is estimated that about 2.5 million children currently receive these medications in the United States. In addition, use has expanded among adults as well, who account for an increasing proportion of the prescriptions.