A National Institutes of Health consensus panel of experts from North America which met earlier this month has called for urgent clarification of the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and research into the long term effects of treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is estimated to affect 3-5% of school age children in the United States, and is the most commonly diagnosed behaviour disorder in childhood. The panel found that there is no consistency in treatment, diagnosis, or follow up for children with the disorder.

Dr David Kupfer, Thomas Detre professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University …