PURPOSE: to characterize the population with ADHD diagnoses; bring up prevalence of learning disabilities (LD) and presence of mouth breathing and verify likely association. METHODS: 77 subjects of the Neurological Outpatient Clinic at ABC Medicine University were evaluated with LD diagnoses. Adapted protocols were used for respiratory evaluation. Subtypes of ADHD were classified by DSM-IV. Thus, the subjects were grouped in ADHD subtypes 1 (inattentive), 2 (hyperactivity / impulsive) and 3 (combined); LD presence / absence; and nasal, mouth breathing and mixed respiratory modes. "Dual Proportion Equality Test", "ANOVA" and "Confidence Interval Technique for Proportion / Average" were used. RESULTS: ADHD prevalence was noted in men, ADHD combined subtype, children's of elementary and intermediate school. There was high occurrence of LD (62.3%) with complaint of school difficulties (87%). There was statistical difference for LD presence, school difficulties and not repeater (61%). There was high occurrence of altered respiration (71.4%) which in association with LD, it was 41.6%. There was LD and mixed respiratory advantage for gender and ADHD types. Type 1 was older in average age (12.4 years old) than type 3 (10.63). CONCLUSION: ADHD appeared rather in boys among 7 and 13-year old, type 3 with high prevalence and comorbidity with LD in association with mixed respiratory mode. Complaint about school difficulties showed correlation with LD. There was association among ADHD, low school efficiency and presence of mixed respiratory due to high appearance of comorbidity with LD, regardless of gender, age or ADHD subtype.
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Mouth Breathing; Learning Disorders
