Author: Daniel F. Conner, MD
Source: Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Volume 23, Number 1S, February 2002, pages S1-S9
In this article, the author discusses the results of a computerized literature search on the use of medications in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pre-school aged children. While hundreds of studies have looked at the use of medicines in school-aged children (ages 6 and older), only 9 studies have been published in the last 30 years that examine the effectiveness and side effects of using medicines to treat young children with ADHD.
The author concludes that stimulant medication (methylphenidate/Ritalin?) may be cautiously used in a child aged 3 years or older who has been carefully diagnosed with ADHD and has either not responded to behavioral therapy, has a family that is unable to follow guidelines of behavior therapy, or who has severe symptoms that endanger them or pose serious threats to normal development.
He also recommends that more research is needed to study the effects and side effects of other medicines (like Adderal? and long-acting methylphenidate (Concerta?)) when they?re used in this age group.
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