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Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated developmental disorders in preschool children: a population-based

Pia Fuhrmann1, Monika Equit1, Karin Schmidt2

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, 66421, Germany.

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|July 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Depressive symptoms affect 5.7% of preschool children, particularly those with developmental motor and speech issues. Early detection and intervention are crucial for at-risk children experiencing depression.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Clinical Psychiatry

Background:

  • Depression is a significant disorder often underdiagnosed in preschool-aged children.
  • Preschool children experiencing depression face unique challenges and may exhibit subtle symptoms.
  • Understanding the prevalence and associated factors is vital for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in a population-based sample of preschool children.
  • To identify risk factors associated with depressive symptoms in this age group.
  • To highlight the importance of considering depression in children with specific developmental issues.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based sample of 653 preschool children (mean age 6.2 years) was assessed during school-entry examinations.
  • Community care pediatricians conducted clinical appraisals.
  • Parents completed the Preschool Feelings Checklist, a validated 16-item screening tool.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (total score ≥3) was 5.7%.
  • No significant differences were found based on gender or age (younger vs. older preschoolers).
  • Depressive symptoms were associated with parental separation, behavioral problems, and notably, developmental motor and speech disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Depressive symptoms are relatively common in preschool children and strongly linked to developmental problems.
  • Children with motor and speech difficulties are at increased risk for depression.
  • Early identification and treatment of depression in at-risk preschool children are recommended.

Keywords:
DepressionDevelopmental Coordination DisorderPreschool Feelings ChecklistPreschool childrenSpeech disorder

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