OBJECTIVES: To describe the main aspects of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, including history, epidemiology, etiology, neurobiology, clinical features, comorbidities, diagnosis, outcome and treatment. SOURCES OF DATA: Comprehensive, non-systematic review of the literature on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has a neurobiological basis, and is highly prevalent in children and adolescents. Treatment is very efficacious, including the use of medication in most the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians are in a privileged position to detect this disorder early and to start the initial management of less severe cases and of those not complicated by extensive comorbidities.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; hyperkinetic disorder; ADHD
