Duke Health researchers announced on April 27 that artificial intelligence tools can analyze electronic health records to estimate a child’s risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) years before a typical diagnosis. The study, published in Nature Mental Health, examined how data from routine medical visits could help primary care providers identify children who may benefit from earlier evaluation and follow-up.
The findings matter because early identification and support for children with ADHD are linked to better academic, social, and health outcomes. Many children go undiagnosed for years, missing the chance for timely intervention.
Lead author Elliot Hill said, “We have this incredibly rich source of information sitting in electronic health records. The idea was to see whether patterns hidden in that data could help us predict which children might later be diagnosed with ADHD, well before that diagnosis usually happens.” Researchers analyzed electronic health records from more than 140,000 children using an AI model trained to recognize combinations of developmental, behavioral, and clinical events appearing years before an official ADHD diagnosis.
The tool showed high accuracy at estimating future ADHD risk in children age five and older across different patient groups. However, it does not provide a formal diagnosis but rather helps clinicians focus their attention on patients who may need further assessment. “This is not an AI doctor,” said Matthew Engelhard. “It’s a tool to help clinicians focus their time and resources so kids who need help don’t fall through the cracks or wait years for answers.”
Study author Naomi Davis said that connecting families with timely interventions is essential: “Children with ADHD can really struggle when their needs aren’t understood and adequate supports are not in place. Connecting families with timely, evidence-based interventions is essential for helping them achieve their goals and laying a foundation for future success.”
According to the hospital’s 2022 annual report, Duke University Hospital—located in Durham—was founded in 1925 by its current president Craig T. Albanese. The hospital includes a pediatric ward and serves as a training facility; it admitted over 41,000 patients during the year.
Researchers emphasized the need for further studies before implementing such AI tools widely in clinical settings.