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Lynne P. Heilbrun, BS1, Claudia Miller, MD, MS2, and Jimmy L. Perkins, PhD1. (1) School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive MC, San Antonio, TX 78284-7976, 210-567-7404, parsonsl@uthscsa.edu, (2) Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
The prevalence of learning and behavioral disabilities is rising so quickly that many health professionals refer to it as “epidemic.” The prevalence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) was previously reported at 3 to 5% of school-aged children, but a recent study reports it as high as 12% in some regions. Proposed etiologies for this increase include: environmental neurotoxins, genetics, traumatic births, and head trauma. In order to identify underlying environmental risk factors, we are exploring the relationship between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) diagnosed in children and parental chemical susceptibility. Susceptibility in each parent and the frequency of AD/HD in their children will be evaluated with online surveys using a secure website. National AD/HD organizations will assist with subject recruitment via their websites and newsletters. The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©), a validated instrument, will be used to assess chemical susceptibility, and participants will complete a comprehensive environmental exposure history questionnaire emphasizing potential neurotoxic exposures. Parents of children with AD/HD will be asked to identify and recruit another couple whose child is matched for age and sex to the index child, but who does not have physician-diagnosed AD/HD. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for the QEESI©'s four scales will be calculated to assess internal consistency. Pearson correlations will be used to measure construct validity. Further statistical analysis will identify the correlations within and between the two groups.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Mental Health, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.