Using parents' reports, researchers studied the tantrums of 279 3- to 6-year-olds, comparing the flaring tempers of healthy kids with those of children with depression and disruptive disorders like attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). What they discovered: Preschoolers with depression or disruptive disorders were more likely to exhibit these five tantrum "styles":

• Excessive aggression or destructiveness during tantrums — regularly lashing out by hitting, kicking, biting, or spitting at parents or caregivers; or throwing or trying to break objects
• Consistent tantrums — 10 to 20 episodes at home on separate days within a month or more than five a day for multiple days at school or away from home
• Tantrums lasting a long time — 25 minutes or more, versus the average tantrum time of about 10 minutes
• Trouble calming themselves down after tantrums
• Hurting themselves on purpose — holding their breath or biting, scratching, head-banging, or hitting themselves

Although it's normal for children to exhibit some of these extremes in behavior every once in a while, when these meltdowns become a pattern that there might be cause for concern. It's important to note that kids who were depressed were found to be at significantly greater risk of injuring themselves intentionally.

On April 21, 2009 The American Heart Association released a statement about cardiovascular evaluation and monitoring of children receiving drugs for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As a result of language in the news release and the statement as published, there have been conflicting interpretations of the recommendations regarding the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) in assessing children with ADHD who may need treatment with medications. The purpose of this joint advisory of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA) is to clarify the recommendations. · The scientific statement included a review of data that show children with heart conditions have a higher incidence of ADHD. · Because certain heart conditions in children may be difficult (even, in some cases, impossible) to detect, the AAP and AHA feel that it is prudent to carefully assess children for heart conditions who need to receive treatment with drugs for ADHD. · Obtaining a patient and family health history and doing a physical exam focused on cardiovascular disease risk factors (Class I recommendations in the statement) are recommended by the AAP and AHA for assessing patients before treatment with drugs for ADHD.