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Children With Drooping Eyelids More Likely to Have ADHD
Developing
In Short: A new study links congenital ptosis to a higher risk of ADHD, urging closer monitoring and collaboration among healthcare professionals.
A recent study involving over 850 children revealed that those born with a drooping eyelid, known as congenital ptosis, are nearly three times more likely to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to the general population.
According to the research, 18% of children with congenital ptosis had ADHD, whereas the rate in the general population is between 5.6% and 7.6%. The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach, including paediatric ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons, paediatric neurologists, and psychologists, to ensure timely correction of ptosis while monitoring for ADHD symptoms.
While the study established a link between congenital ptosis and ADHD, it did not prove causation. The risk was found to be higher among boys, children diagnosed with ptosis after age one, those who underwent ptosis surgery, and those with residual eyelid drooping post-surgery.
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. Additionally, the research did not account for the severity of ptosis, which could impact the relationship between the condition and ADHD.
What's still developing
- "Specific screening protocols should be implemented, particularly for high-risk groups identified in this study, with consideration for more frequent neurodevelopmental assessments during the first few years following congenital ptosis diagnosis or surgery," they added.
Sources
- Medscapelink