According to a study of nearly one million children born in Denmark between 1988 and 2001, babies born with low Apgar test scores were at higher risk to develop ADHD. The Apgar is a 10-point scale used by pediatricians worldwide, measuring respiration, reflexes, skin color, pulse and heart rate during the first few minutes of life. 82% of those later diagnosed with ADHD were boys. Scores between one and 4 had a 75% higher risk of developing ADHD than babies with scores of 9 or 10. The risk of ADHD was 63% higher with scores of 5 and 6. Low Apgar scores have also been linked with epilepsy, cerebral palsy and mental retardation.
Doctor Covert is an ADHD psychiatrist in Houston, Texas who comprehensively evaluates for child ADHD and adult ADHD, using both subjective and objective measurement tools, to confirm diagnoses and to guide effective and safe ADHD treatment strategies.
Posted on 3-16-2011
