A recent study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that some ADHD diagnoses in children may actually be rare cancerous tumors.
These rare cancerous tumors, known as paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas, may manifest the same symptoms that are typically diagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
This discovery is alarming, as misdiagnosing these tumors as ADHD results in inappropriate treatment that could increase negative symptoms -- and ultimately damages the children’s health.
The study involved 43 children between January 2006 and May 2014. All of the children had been diagnosed with these rare tumors, which release catecholamines that stimulate the central nervous system.
Nine of the children involved in the study had received ADHD diagnoses before doctors found their tumors. Four of these nine had received ADHD drugs, including methylphenidate, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The children then developed excessive sweating, headaches and hypertension symptoms.
The results of the study showed that after the children had had their tumors removed through procedures, three of the children did not show ADHD symptoms.
The scientists surmise that high blood pressure, which is typically associated with ADHD, may be a warning that children have a more serious health problem than ADHD.
