PURPOSE: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children which persists into adulthood. Evidence suggests that the condition is etiologically related to delayed brain maturation. Detection of the presence of neurological soft signs can be a means to assess neuromaturation. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of neurological soft signs in ADHD patients and to determine any correlation between the presence of neurological soft signs with age, gender, severity, and type of ADHD which could give further insights into this disorder. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at the Child Neurology and Developmental Pediatrics outpatient clinic which included patients 6-18 years old diagnosed with ADHD as well as healthy controls. Patients with other neurodevelopmental conditions (intellectual disability, metabolic disorder, cerebral palsy, abnormal MRI findings), or any condition that may lead to failure to complete the given tasks such as physical handicap were excluded. Neurological soft signs were measured by utilizing the Physical and Neurological Evaluation for Soft Signs (PANESS) scale. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 48 patients between 6 and 18 years of age (24 ADHD patients and 24 healthy control) were examined. Neurological soft signs were significantly higher in patients with ADHD and were present regardless of gender, type, and severity of ADHD. ADHD patients performed worse on given tasks as evidenced by higher PANESS scores. There was a weak negative correlation between neurological soft signs and age, indicating that soft sign scores decrease with increasing age. There was no statistically significant difference in neurological soft signs scores between those with medication versus without treatment, except for the dysrhythmia which was significantly higher in the drug-naive group. SIGNIFICANCE Neurological soft signs are common in patients with ADHD and add scientific evidence to the predictive value of neurological soft signs as indicators of the severity of functional impairment in ADHD. The prevalence of neurological soft signs is much higher in children with ADHD than in controls which may have the potential to improve sensitivity in the diagnosis of ADHD.

Purpose: Attention defi cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children persisting into adulthood. Evidence suggests that the condition is etiologically related to delayed brain maturation. The detection of the presence of neurological soft signs can be a means to assess neuromaturation. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of neurological soft signs in ADHD patients and determine any correlation between the presence of neurological soft signs with age, gender, severity and type of ADHD which could give further insights into this disorder. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Child Neurology and Developmental Pediatrics outpatient clinic which included patients 6-18 years old diagnosed with ADHD as well as healthy controls. Patients with other neurodevelopmental conditions (intellectual disability, metabolic disorder, cerebral palsy, abnormal MRI fi ndings), or any condition that may lead to failure to complete the given tasks such as physical handicaps were excluded. Neurological soft signs were measured by utilizing the Physical and Neurological Evaluation for Soft Signs (PANESS) scale. Key Findings: A total of 48 patients between 6 and 18 years of age (24 ADHD patients and 24 healthy controls) were examined. Neurological soft signs were signifi cantly higher in patients with ADHD and were present regardless of gender, type and severity of ADHD. ADHD patients performed worse on the given tasks as evidenced by higher PANESS scores. There was a weak negative correlation between neurological soft signs and age indicating that soft sign scores decrease with increasing age. There was no statistically signifi cant difference in neurological soft sign scores between those with medication versus without treatment, except for dysrhythmia which was signifi cantly higher in the drug-naive group. Significance Neurological soft signs are common in patients with ADHD and add scientifi c evidence to the predictive value of neurological soft signs as indicators of the severity of functional impairment in ADHD. The prevalence of neurological soft signs is much higher in children with ADHD than in controls which may have the potential to improve sensitivity in the diagnosis of ADHD.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Background : Caregiver burden and its impact on the quality of life is as important as determining the quality of life of children with epilepsy as these factors inl uence each other as well as the outcome of these children. Objectives : The primary objective of the study was to determine the association between caregiver burden and quality of life as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers of Filipino children with epilepsy. Also, the study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of caregiver burden, impaired quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in an ambulatory care setting. Methodology : In this cross-sectional survey, adult caregivers accompanying their pediatric patients with epilepsy at a single tertiary center were recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. The participants completed questionnaires for caregiver burden, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Results : Fifty-three caregivers participated with a mean age of 38 years. Most of them were females, married, unemployed, and at least college level. The mean age of their patients was 9.4 years and 71.7% of patients were on a single anti-epileptic drug. Lower educational level was less likely associated with caregiver burden. Although impaired quality of life and depressive symptoms were more likely associated with caregiver burden, this association did not reach statistical signii cance. Conclusion The prevalence rate of caregiver burden, impaired quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were 24.5%, 22.6%, 28.3%, and 9.4% respectively, among caregivers of Filipino children with epilepsy at a single tertiary center. Lower educational level was the only characteristic signii cantly associated with lesser odds of having caregiver burden
Caregiver Burden ; Quality of Life ; Anxiety ; Depression