The study, published in Nature Mental Health, analysed electronic health records for more than 140,000 children. Researchers trained a specialised AI model to review medical history from birth through early childhood. The model detected combinations of developmental, behavioural and clinical events that often appear years before an ADHD diagnosis.
The tool was highly accurate at estimating future ADHD risk in children aged five and older. Its performance was similar across patient characteristics such as sex, race, ethnicity and insurance status. The researchers stress that the AI does not diagnose; instead, it highlights children who may need closer attention from their paediatric primary care provider or an earlier specialist referral for assessment.
Lead author Elliot Hill and senior author Matthew Engelhard said the tool could help clinicians target time and resources so children get help sooner. The team links earlier identification and support to better academic, social and health outcomes and recommends further studies before the tool is used in routine care. The research also received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.
Difficult words
- electronic health record — digital file with a person's medical historyelectronic health records
- specialised — made or trained for a particular purpose
- developmental — relating to growth and development in children
- behavioural — connected with a person's actions or conduct
- diagnosis — identification of a medical condition
- paediatric — relating to the medical care of children
- specialist referral — sending a patient to a medical expert
- outcome — result or effect of an actionoutcomes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think AI tools should be used to find children at risk of ADHD? Why or why not?
- How could earlier identification and support help a child's school or social life?
- What concerns might parents or doctors have about using this kind of tool?
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