Volume 36 · Number 10
OCTOBER 2006
Do Foods or Additives Cause Behavior Disorders?
By Narlito V. Cruz, MD; Sami L. Bahna, MD, DrPH
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in childhood, with a prevalence of 4% to 12% of elementary school population, affecting three boys to every girl. Children with ADHD often have poor scholastic performance, impaired family and peer relationships, and other co-existing developmental and psychiatric disorders. With the shortage of mental healthcare providers, pediatricians and other primary care physicians provide the majority of care for such children. In a recent study of pediatric practices in North Carolina, 15% of children were found to have behavioral disorders, with ADHD as the most frequent diagnosis. Another recent survey reported that 45.9% of pediatricians conduct three or more new evaluations for ADHD per month.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Cruz is senior fellow and Dr. Bahna is professor and chief, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA.
Address reprint requests to: Sami L. Bahna, MD, DrPH, Allergy and Immunology Section, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932; or e-mail [email protected].
The Creative Chaos of Adolescence
Jan Fawcett, MD
Managing Adolescents
Beth A. Auslander, PhD
Effective Interviewing and Counseling of the Adolescent Patient
Lesley A. Cottrell, PhD;
Linda S. Nield, MD;
Kathaleen C. Perkins, MD
Puberty and Adolescent Sexuality
Frank M. Biro, MD;
Lorah D. Dorn, PhD
Sexual Development and Behaviors of Adolescents
Beth A. Auslander, PhD;
Susan L. Rosenthal, PhD;
Margaret J. Blythe, MD, FAAP
Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Use in the 21st Century
Sharmila Nanda, MD;
Neelam Konnur, MD
Managing the Adolescent With a Chronic Illness
James J. Burns, MD;
Matthew Sadof, MD;
Depak Kamat, MD, PhD
