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Allergic disorders and attention deficit disorder in children

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Abstract

It has been suggested that children with attention deficit disorder-hyperactivity (ADDH) are likely to show allergic disorders, and that both ADDH and allergic disorders may share a common biological background. In a large sample of children from the general population we found no association between parent, teacher, and self-reports of ADDH behaviors and a history of allergic disorders (asthma, eczema, rhinitis, and urticaria) at ages 9 or 13 years. Similarly, reports of ADDH behaviors at age 13 years were not related to level of atopic responsiveness by skin test or serum IgE levels. Our findings call into question the hypothesis that there is a relationship between ADDH and allergic disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Rob McGee

  2. Centre for Cancer Control, Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Warren R. Stanton

  3. Firestone Regional Chest and Allergy Unit, St. Joseph's Hospital, McMaster University, L8N 4A6, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Malcolm R. Sears

Authors
  1. Rob McGee
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  2. Warren R. Stanton
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  3. Malcolm R. Sears
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Additional information

The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit is supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, and involves several departments of the University of Otago. The authors are indebted to the many people whose contributions made this study possible, and in particular the members of the sample and their parents.

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McGee, R., Stanton, W.R. & Sears, M.R. Allergic disorders and attention deficit disorder in children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 21, 79–88 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00910490

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00910490

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