Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’s incidence in children and adolescents worldwide: A comprehensive review of meta-analyses
Keywords:
Children, Adolescents, Umbrella review, Meta-analysis, ADHDAbstract
Background: According to newly available epidemiological data, hundreds of primary research as well as dozens of systematic evaluations and meta-analyses have looked into the prevalence of ADHD in kids and teenagers. A thorough synthesis of the data from these systematic reviews and meta-analyses is what this umbrella review aims to provide. Objective: To comprehensively synthesize and evaluate existing evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the global prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, using an umbrella review approach. Methods: We conducted a thorough search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsychINFO, and Scopus to locate relevant research. PROSPERO had the study preregistered. Using a Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), the studies' quality was evaluated. Using an invariance variance weighted random-effect meta-analysis, the prevalence estimates from the included studies were combined. Result: 3,277,590 participants from 13 meta-analytic systematic reviews (588 primary investigations) were analyzed. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents was 8.0% (95% CI 6.0–10%). Boys had a prevalence estimate twice as high (10%) as girls (5%). The inattentive type (ADHD-I) was the most prevalent subtype.
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