22q11.2 deletion syndrome: behaviour problems of infants and parental stress

W Briegel1, M Schneider, K O Schwab

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leopoldina Hospital, Gustav-Adolf-Strasse 4, 97422 Schweinfurt, Germany. wbriegel@leopoldina.de

Insights

Infants with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) may exhibit behavioral issues, but their caregivers experience lower parental stress than expected. Further research is needed on the long-term impact of 22q11.2 DS on behavior and stress.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) is linked to developmental delays and psychiatric disorders.
  • Limited data exists on early behavior problems and parental stress in 22q11.2 DS.
  • This study addresses the gap in understanding early behavior in 22q11.2 DS and its impact on caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate behavior problems in infants with 22q11.2 DS.
  • To assess parental stress levels in primary caregivers of these infants.
  • To explore the relationship between child behavior and parental stress in 22q11.2 DS.

Main Methods:

  • Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to parents of infants with 22q11.2 DS.
  • The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5-5 was utilized to assess behavior.
  • Data from 22 families were analyzed, including child age, gender, and developmental status.

Main Results:

  • 17/21 children had motor delays, and 15/21 had language delays.
  • 5/21 children exhibited clinical behavior issues on the CBCL 1.5-5.
  • Caregiver stress was not elevated compared to the general population and was lower than parents of other handicapped children.
  • Child age correlated with anxiety, and girls showed more sleep problems than boys.
  • Parental stress correlated with externalizing and anxious/depressed behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with 22q11.2 DS can present with behavioral challenges.
  • Parental stress in this group is manageable and lower than in comparable populations.
  • Longitudinal studies are crucial to track the progression of behavior problems and parental stress over time.
Abstract

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