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Prevalence and pattern of psychiatric morbidity in children

A Sidana1, M S Bhatia, S Choudhary

  • 1Deptt. of Psychiatry, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi.

Insights

This study analyzed 300 children aged 2-12 years, identifying mental retardation and epilepsy as the most common diagnoses at a Delhi child guidance clinic. ADHD and childhood depression were also significant findings.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Child guidance clinics are crucial for diagnosing and managing pediatric mental health conditions.
  • Understanding the prevalence of specific disorders in children is essential for public health planning and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of various psychiatric and developmental disorders among children attending a child guidance clinic.
  • To provide epidemiological data on common childhood conditions in a specific urban population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 300 children (175 boys, 125 girls) aged 2-12 years was conducted.
  • Data was collected from November 1994 to October 1996 at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital Child Guidance Clinic, Delhi.
  • Diagnoses were established using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) criteria.

Main Results:

  • Mental retardation was the most prevalent diagnosis (20.6%), followed closely by epilepsy (20%).
  • Other significant diagnoses included hysterical conversion reaction (6.3%), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (5%), and childhood depression (6%).

Conclusions:

  • Mental retardation and epilepsy represent substantial diagnostic burdens in pediatric populations presenting to child guidance services.
  • The findings highlight the need for accessible diagnostic and therapeutic services for a range of childhood disorders, including neurodevelopmental and emotional conditions.

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