What is the appropriate evaluation for an infant with hyperactivity?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 7, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.

From the Research

Evaluation of Hyperactivity in Infants

To evaluate an infant with hyperactivity, the following points should be considered:

  • Hyperactivity is one of the core symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 1
  • Objective assessments of hyperactivity, such as acceleration-sensitive devices (e.g., Actigraph) and motion tracking systems (e.g., QbTest), can be used to measure hyperactivity 1
  • The assessment setting (i.e., research laboratory, school, or home) can influence the presence and severity of hyperactivity 1
  • Diagnosis of ADHD in preschool children is controversial due to the presence of normative behaviors during this period 2
  • Early identification of ADHD is important to improve long-term outcomes, and clinicians should evaluate not only the mental condition of the child but also the family burden 3, 4

Assessment Techniques

The following assessment techniques can be used to evaluate hyperactivity in infants:

  • Actigraph and QbTest have good discriminant validity, convergent validity, and sensitivity to the effects of stimulants 1
  • Neuropsychological testing may be valuable for both diagnosis and the assessment of treatment response 4
  • Objective measures of gross motor movement (hyperactivity) can be obtained using actigraphy 5

Considerations

The following considerations should be taken into account when evaluating an infant with hyperactivity:

  • Comorbid psychiatric disorders and other developmental disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis 4
  • Family functioning is highly affected by the child's ADHD and should be addressed by physicians 4
  • Hyperactivity in ADHD may be evoked by demands on specific executive functions or cognitive demands in general 5

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.