What causes hyperactivity in children?
Disease description:
My child is currently 4 years old. He runs around nonstop at home all day and is also unable to stay still when playing outside. Normally, he only pays attention when playing with his phone or watching TV. I would like to ask, what causes a child to be hyperactive?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
There are many reasons why a child may be hyperactive; it could be due to innate factors, or alternatively, conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), abnormalities in central nervous system neurotransmitters, or other causes.
1. Innate factors: As a child's sensory organs are developing, they are naturally curious about their surroundings. They explore novel and unfamiliar environments through physical movement, which manifests as hyperactivity.
2. ADHD: If a child has ADHD, they may display hyperactivity along with symptoms such as loud vocalizations, irritability, restlessness, difficulty in being managed, inattention, emotional instability, and destructive behaviors.
3. Abnormalities in central nervous system neurotransmitters: Insufficient norepinephrine or dopamine function in a child's brain can lead to abnormalities in central nervous system neurotransmitters, resulting in hyperactivity.
4. High lead levels (lead poisoning): Children with lead poisoning may exhibit hyperactive behaviors. This is often due to exposure to environmental lead sources. Some children may also experience difficulty concentrating. This condition can be either congenital or acquired due to environmental factors later in life.
