1. Dong R, Wu H, Jin F, Yang Q, Chu T, Song H. Oral health status and associated influencing factors in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a case-control study. BMC Oral Health. 2026; 26(1).

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the second most prevalent chronic pediatric condition worldwide. Its core ADHD symptoms-inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity-impair oral hygiene behaviors, and first-line medications such as methylphenidate may further increase oral disease risk. However, systematic epidemiological data on oral health status of children with ADHD remain limited in China. This study aimed to investigate oral health status of children with ADHD and identify factors associated with adverse oral health outcomes in this population. METHODS: This case-control study included 130 children with ADHD and 143 age-matched healthy controls (6-12 years old) recruited from Dezhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shandong Province, China, between July and December 2025. Oral examinations assessed dental caries (using the DMFT index for permanent teeth and dmft index for primary teeth, collectively reflecting the mixed-dentition caries burden), caries activity (Cariostat), periodontal status (Plaque Index [PI], Modified Gingival Index [MGI]), malocclusion, and dental trauma. Parent-reported questionnaires collected data on oral health behaviors, socioeconomic characteristics, and medication use. Between-group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test. Multivariate logistic regression with backward likelihood ratio selection was used to examine factors associated with adverse oral outcomes after adjusting for confounders. The English versions of the questionnaires are provided in Supplementary Files 1 and 2. RESULTS: The ADHD group had significantly higher overall dental caries prevalence (80.77% vs. 52.45%, P < 0.001), higher median DMFT+dmft scores (3 vs. 1, P < 0.001), higher plaque index (PI) scores (2 vs. 1, P < 0.001), higher modified gingival index (MGI) scores (2 vs. 1, P < 0.001), and higher Cariostat values (P < 0.0001) than the control group. In contrast, the fissure sealant rate was significantly lower in the ADHD group (6.15% vs. 47.29%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that methylphenidate use (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 39.65, 95% CI: 15.79-271, P < 0.001) and frequent candy consumption (aOR = 84.54, 95% CI: 12.2-584, P < 0.001) were associated with higher odds of dental caries in the adjusted model. In contrast, a higher parental education level (college degree or above) was associated with lower odds of dental caries (aOR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.014-0.684, P = 0.019). Perfunctory toothbrushing (aOR = 8.78, 95% CI: 3.12-24.71, P < 0.001) was associated with higher odds of poor oral hygiene (PI ≥ 2), whereas higher household income (aOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12-0.74, P = 0.009) and twice-daily toothbrushing (aOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05-0.43, P = 0.001) were associated with lower odds of poor oral hygiene (PI ≥ 2). For gingivitis (MGI ≥ 2), higher household income (aOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.84, P = 0.019) and parental supervision of toothbrushing (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04-0.31, P < 0.001) were associated with lower odds of gingivitis, whereas longer disease duration (aOR = 11.30, 95% CI: 3.78-33.75, P < 0.001) was associated with higher odds of gingivitis. Notably, the wide confidence intervals for these adjusted odds ratios indicate limited precision for quantifying exact effect magnitudes, and the case-control design precludes causal inference; all reported associations should therefore be interpreted with caution. Children with ADHD in this cohort exhibited significantly poorer oral health than healthy controls, characterized by higher rates of dental caries, poorer oral hygiene, and more severe gingival inflammation. These adverse oral health outcomes were associated with ineffective oral hygiene practices, frequent high-sugar dietary habits, ADHD-related neurobehavioral characteristics, and socioeconomic factors. Comprehensive oral health interventions integrating preventive clinical care, behavioral support, family involvement, and socioeconomic assistance are urgently needed for this population.

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2. Feldman JS, Schiff A, Lindhiem O, Joseph HM. Associations Between ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosis Across the Preschool Period. J Atten Disord. 2026: 10870547261483441.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine which attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms at ages 3 to 5 are most strongly associated with an ADHD diagnosis in a large dataset of preschoolers across the United States. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, a large national dataset in the United States. Children were included if their caregiver(s) completed at least one of five measures that assessed ADHD symptoms at age 3 (N = 1,430), 4 (N = 1,453), and/or 5 (N = 2,029) years. ADHD diagnosis was determined by medical record and/or caregiver report. A series of logistic regression models were conducted with each symptom included as the independent variable and ADHD diagnosis as the dependent variable. Bootstrapped 99% confidence intervals of odds ratios were compared across symptoms. Next, age and interactions between age and symptoms were added to each logistic regression model. RESULTS: All 10 symptoms assessed were significantly associated with an ADHD diagnosis. Being « on the go » and interrupts or intrudes were most strongly associated with a diagnosis. Associations between symptoms and diagnosis did not significantly differ by age despite significant interactions for difficulty with follow-through, fidgets, and interrupts or intrudes. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that some symptoms may be more useful than others when determining if a preschool-aged child is likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Providers should consider the context and impairment associated with the symptoms. Future work should build upon limitations to assess all 18 ADHD symptoms in children with and without ADHD diagnoses across developmental periods.

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3. Hertler SC, Kideys K, Peñaherrera-Aguirre M. ADHD and working memory: Reviewing causes for a consistent correlation. Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2026: 1-11.

Working memory capacity negatively correlates with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In this narrative review, we examine the strength of this correlation, alongside explanations for its existence. Some explanations cast working memory weaknesses as an artifact of testing, such that inattention during testing disrupts encoding. Other explanations link working memory weakness to poor executive control and selective attention, such that ADHD impedes mental manipulation central to all working memory tasks. We thereafter compare these extant explanations against the following alternative explanation: Correlations between ADHD and working memory are artifacts of contaminated samples employing imprecise inclusion and exclusion criteria that neither commonly control for intelligence nor rule out low intelligence as an alternative explanation for putative ADHD. This alternative explanation is relevant because intelligence positively correlates with working memory capacity; and at the same time, ADHD samples are often selected based on ratings that neither measure intelligence nor attention. This alternative explanation suggests that, though not spurious, the correlation between these constructs is exaggerated by including those with lower intelligence in ADHD samples. We systematically select a subset of ADHD studies, scrutinizing their methodology, discussion, and limitations sections so as to determine, where possible, whether working memory weaknesses remain after controlling for intelligence.

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4. Isik G, Isik CM, Ozturk M. Cognitive disengagement and emotional-behavioral profiles in children with voiding dysfunction: a controlled clinical study. Eur J Pediatr. 2026; 185(9).

Voiding dysfunction (VD) is a common condition in childhood that is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and bowel dysfunction. It may also adversely affect patients’ emotional, behavioral, and social functioning. This cross-sectional case-control study evaluated emotional and behavioral problems, attention-related symptoms, and cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) in children with VD and examined their relationship with lower urinary symptoms severity and constipation. VD was diagnosed according to International Children’s Continence Society criteria using voiding diaries, imaging findings, and Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score (DVSS ≥ 9). Emotional and behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and attention-related and CDS symptoms were evaluated with the Barkley Child Attention Scale (BCAS). The study population included 72 children aged 6-12 years with VD and 46 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Children with VD showed significantly more severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, emotional problems, behavioral difficulties, and peer problems, as well as higher total difficulty scores compared with controls. Increasing DVSS were positively associated with greater emotional-behavioral difficulties and poorer quality of life. Children with both daytime and nighttime urinary incontinence and those with concomitant constipation exhibited the highest psychosocial burden. In contrast, CDS-related symptoms did not differ significantly between children with VD and healthy controls. Conclusion: These findings indicate that VD is associated with a substantial emotional and behavioral burden, particularly attention-related difficulties, whereas CDS does not appear to be specifically linked to VD. Routine psychological screening and a multidisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach may improve symptom management and quality of life in affected children.

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5. Sonne H, Pottegård A, Hansen ASK, Bech M, Kildegaard H. Regional Variation in ADHD Treatment and Diagnosis Among Children and Adolescents in Denmark. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2026; 139(4): e70298.

Geographic variation in ADHD treatment and diagnosis among children and adolescents is well documented, yet the system-level factors driving such differences remain poorly understood. We examined nationwide patterns of ADHD medication use and diagnoses in Denmark in 2024 and assessed whether municipal socioeconomy, regional hospital waiting times or private child psychiatrist capacity contributed to geographic variation. In this register-based cross-sectional study, we included all Danish residents aged 4-17 years using data from national registers. Pharmacological treatment was defined as at least one redeemed prescription for ADHD drugs, and diagnosis was defined as at least one hospital contact with ICD-10 codes F90.x/F98.8. Prevalence was calculated overall and stratified by sex and age, with associations explored using Spearman’s rank correlations and regression analyses. ADHD medication prevalence varied sixfold across municipalities (9.6-58 per 1000), with parallel variation in diagnoses (15-74 per 1000) and the largest differences observed among adolescents. Municipal socioeconomic status was weakly and inversely correlated with medication use (ρ = -0.20, p = 0.049), but not diagnoses. Neither waiting times nor specialist capacity was significantly associated with either outcome. Marked geographic variation in ADHD medication use and diagnoses persists in Denmark despite a uniform healthcare framework, and appears largely unexplained by the system-level factors examined. We examined how often children and adolescents in Denmark were diagnosed with ADHD or received ADHD medication across municipalities in 2024. Despite a tax‐funded healthcare system with equal access, we found large geographic differences. Some municipalities had more than six times as many children receiving ADHD medication as others, with the largest differences seen among adolescents. Municipal socioeconomic indicators were only weakly associated with these patterns, and differences could not be explained by waiting times or specialist availability. The findings suggest that factors beyond medical need may influence access to ADHD diagnosis and treatment in Denmark. eng.

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6. Wu Y, Wang C, Ma D, Xu Z, Ning XL. Neuroelectrophysiological Characteristics of the Attention Network in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Accompanied by ADHD-Like Symptoms. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2026: 15500594261477456.

ObjectiveTo investigate the neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accompanied by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like symptoms using attention network test (ANT) task-state electroencephalography analysis.MethodsAll participants completed the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder rating scale. Electroencephalography data were collected using 32 leads while the participants performed the ANT, followed by polysomnography.ResultsOf the 87 children, 21 were in the control group, 56 were in the OSA group, and 10 were in the OSA accompanied by ADHD-like symptoms group (OSA-co-ADHD). Each group had similar response time and accuracy for the different ANT conditions. At the O(2) electrode, compared with the controls, the latency of the P1 component in the OSA group was shorter (P < 0.05). During the alerting network stage, in the P(Z) electrode, the beta band energy of the OSA-co-ADHD group was greater than that of the control group (Z   -3.067, P = 0.006). During the executive control network stage, at the C(Z) electrode, the OSA-co-ADHD group exhibited higher alpha band energy than the OSA group (P < 0.05). During the alerting and orienting network phases, the connections of multiple brain regions changed (all P < 0.05), while the executive control network remained unchanged.ConclusionExcessive activation of the alerting network, reorganization of the orienting network in the brain, and compensation for inhibitory control during the process of the executive control network may be important characteristics of children with OSA accompanied by ADHD-like symptoms.

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7. Zhao Q, Liang Y, Liu Y, Shen C, Zhao M, Tian J, Jiao L, Sun J, Gu Y, Wu Q, Wang S, Ma L. Atopic dermatitis and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder comorbidity in children and adolescents: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical management. Pediatr Investig. 2026.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur in children and adolescents, increasing the disease burden and clinical complexity. Accumulating evidence suggests that children with AD have a higher risk of incident ADHD, a risk that is particularly pronounced in those with early-onset, severe AD, or significant sleep disturbances. The underlying mechanisms are hypothesized to involve the dysregulation of the « inflammation-itching-neurobehavioral » axis. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence regarding the epidemiology, potential mechanisms, and clinical management of this comorbidity. We propose that proactive screening and aggressive control of skin inflammation and pruritus are key to disrupting this vicious cycle.

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