Influence of Gender on Familial Aggregation of Adhd in Relatives of Probands with Adhd

Objective: To assess the influence of gender on familial transmission of ADHD. Methodology: Two hundred seventy seven probands with ADHD (aged 5-17 years) were screened with clinical interview and the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for School – Age Children Present and Lifetime version (K – SADS – PL). Nine hundred ninty seven first degree relatives (554 parents, 443 siblings) were assessed with interview and K-SADS (for under 18 years) and Wender (for age up to 18 years) for ADHD. Results: Our findings showed no gender differences in the prevalence of ADHD in relatives of ADHD girls and boys. (prevalence of ADHD Like the boys’ families). Conclusion: The results suggest that boys and girls do not differ in the familial risk factors which contribute in ADHD and the familial aggregation of ADHD in relatives of probands with ADHD. Although this finding is consistent with prior works which suggest more similarities than differences in the nature of ADHD in boys and girls, they are not conclusive and more controlled studies are needed.