Prevalence of ADHD in children of China：a systematic review and meta analysis

Objective To estimate the prevalence and influencing factors of attentiion deficit and hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) among children in China. Methods The author searched 33 Chinese papers published during 1983 to 2011.Meta-analysis was used to reanalyze the data. Results Totally 33 original articles were included in the meta analysis.The national-pooled prevalence of ADHD in the children was 5.7%(95% confidence interval 95%CI:4.9%-6.6%)(7.5%95%CI:6.4%-8.8%for boys and 3.4%95%CI:2.7%-4.4%for girls).The prevalence rate of ADHD increased gradually during last 28 years.The rate in undeveloped region was higher than that in developed region.Elementary students had higher prevalence rate of ADHD than preschoolers.Meta-regression analysis indicated that the time and geographic origin of the studies conducted,the age of subjects,and diagnosis criteria were significantly associated with ADHD prevalence rate. Conclusion Screening and diagnosis of ADHD should be standardized for qualified study on the prevalence of the disease and more attention should be paid to the prevalence of ADHD in children of poor region and preschoolers.