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Written By: Agencies | Published : October 5, 2015 11:05 AM IST
As per a recent study, stimulant meds are safe and effective for children with ADHD and congenital heart disease. In the study, researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found no increased risk for death or changes in cardiac vital signs, such as blood pressure or heart rate, even for children with ADHD and severe heart conditions. (Read: My child is suffering from ADHD, what are his treatment options?)
They also found that when treated with stimulant medications, patients had significant improvements in ADHD symptoms as measured by standardized rating scales. Children with congenital heart disease are at high risk for ADHD, but fears about cardiovascular side effects, including sudden death, limit the use of stimulant medications, says senior author Julia Anixt. Anixt added that this study indicates that stimulants are both effective and safe when prescribed with appropriate monitoring and in collaboration with the patient's cardiologist. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in Las Vegas. (Read: Now an app for kids with autism and ADHD)
What is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurological disorder that affects children during their developmental stages. In this, the ability of the kids to respond spontaneously to speech, movement and attention is severely affected. Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, factors that increase your risk of this disease include genetics, diet and social environment. Also environmental factors like alcohol, exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and complications during pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of developing ADHD.
Source: IANS
Photo source: Getty images
