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Children who commit suicide and are aged below 12 years, are more prone to suffering from attention deficit disorder, than depression, according to a new study.

The study examined child suicides in 17 US states from 2003 to 2012, and compared two age groups, according to The New York Times. The age groups consisted of 87 children from 5 to 11, and 606 cases from age 12 to 14.

According to the report, the first age group of children from 5 to 11 more likely had ADD, while the older group from 12 to 14 suffered from depression. As for the conclusion, the study suggested that in addition to prevention of depression in the adolescents, parents should also pay attention to the ADD for the younger children.

The research, which was published on Monday in the journal of Pediatrics, suggested that only focusing and preventing depression would not be enough to curb child suicide rates.

"Maybe in young children, we need to look at behavioral markers," said Jeffrey Bridge, the paper's senior author and an epidemiologist at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

However, the new research does not suggest that attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are the risk factors for children. According to Dr. Bridge, suicide is an "impulsive act among children".

In addition, the new study also detailed the circumstances prior to the suicides. Most if not all had fought with a peer or a relative before committing suicide. Almost a third of the adolescents and children have faced issues in the school. Additionally, a similar percentage has gone through a crisis before committing suicide.

Moreover, about 30 percent of the 700 children examined in the research told someone of their intention to end their lives.

"We know that often kids don't necessarily disclose that they are suicidal," Dr. Miller said. However, he also mentioned "they will disclose if they are asked," stressing the point on communication between parents and the children.