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Children With Congenital Ptosis More Likely to Have ADHD

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In Short: A study found kids born with droopy eyelids were almost three times more likely to have ADHD.

Khost children in 2009
Photo: Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith (U.S Army Photographer) Exif info / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

A new study involving over 850 children revealed that those born with a drooping eyelid, known as congenital ptosis, were nearly three times more likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than the general population.

The research, which relied on medical records, found that 18% of children with congenital ptosis had ADHD, compared to a rate of 5.6% to 7.6% in the general population.

While the study highlights a significant correlation between congenital ptosis and ADHD, it does not establish a direct causal link between the two conditions.

The researchers emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, recommending that pediatric ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons, pediatric neurologists, and psychologists work together to ensure timely correction of congenital ptosis while monitoring for signs of ADHD.

However, the study's reliance on medical records to identify ADHD cases may have overlooked children with milder symptoms or those who were never formally diagnosed.

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