Physical health in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Twin Studies

Background:

• Growing diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) highlight the need to examine physical health in affected children.
• Previous research has not comprehensively assessed the range of physical conditions co-occurring with NDDs in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of specific physical problems in 9- and 12-year-old twins with and without indications of NDDs.
• To investigate if combinations of NDDs are associated with a higher burden of physical health issues.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a nationwide twin registry, including 28,058 participants.
• Conducted validated telephone interviews with parents to gather information on children's mental health and physical conditions.
• Assessed a predefined list of physical problems: epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cancer, diabetes, psoriasis, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, diarrhea, constipation, daytime enuresis, and encopresis.

Main Results:

• Children with indications of NDDs exhibited a significantly higher rate of physical problems compared to their peers without NDDs.
• The prevalence of physical ailments was particularly elevated in children diagnosed with multiple NDDs.
• Specific conditions like epilepsy, asthma, and gastrointestinal issues were frequently reported.

Conclusions:

• Children with neurodevelopmental disorders face a substantial burden of physical health conditions.
• Early identification and integrated management of physical health are crucial for children with NDDs, especially those with complex presentations.