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[The use of strength and difficulties questionnaire in psychosocial evaluation and attention deficit hyperactivity
Luis Bachiller-Carnicero1, Carmen Elia García-Soria1, Salvador Piris-Borregas1
1Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Insights
Preterm infants show higher risks for emotional and peer relationship issues. The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) can effectively screen for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Behavioral and learning disorders are common in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1,500g or <32 weeks).
- Limited data exists on these outcomes in the Spanish population.
- Preterm birth is a known risk factor for neurodevelopmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess psychosocial disorders in preterm children at age 6 using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
- To compare SDQ scores in preterm children to a reference population.
- To establish SDQ cut-off values for screening attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preterm children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 214 preterm children assessed at 6 years.
- Utilized the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for psychosocial assessment.
- Collected perinatal data, neurodevelopmental information, and DSM-5 diagnosed ADHD.
Main Results:
- Preterm children exhibited significantly higher scores in emotional symptoms and peer relationships compared to controls.
- The hyperactivity scale (AUC=0.83) and total SDQ score (AUC=0.87) effectively predicted ADHD diagnosis.
- Recommended SDQ cut-offs for ADHD screening: hyperactivity ≥6, total score ≥13, or combined hyperactivity ≥5 and total score ≥12.
Conclusions:
- Preterm children face elevated risks for emotional and peer relationship difficulties.
- The SDQ is a viable screening tool for identifying ADHD in preterm populations.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for managing developmental challenges in preterm infants.
Introduction:
Behavioural disorders and learning disabilities are often recognised in<1,500g or<32 weeks very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. There is very limited data in the Spanish population.
Objective:
To determine the presence of psychosocial disorders in preterm infants at 6 years of age, as assessed by the strength and difficulties (SDQ) questionnaire, in comparison to a reference population. To set a cut-off value to use SDQ as a screening tool for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the preterm child.
Participants And Methods:
A prospective observational study was conducted on premature children assessed at 6 years of age using the SDQ. Perinatal variables, neurodevelopment, and diagnosis of ADHD, according to the DSM-5, were collected.
Results:
A total of 214 children who met all the requirements, were included. When compared with the reference population they had significantly higher scores in emotional symptoms, in peer relationships, and in the total score of the test. The hyperactivity scale and the total test score are good predictors of a diagnosis of ADHD, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.76-0.90) for hyperactivity, and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80-0.93) for the total score. The scores for hyperactivity and the total test, from which the screening for ADHD could be considered positive would be≥6 and≥13 respectively, and a combination of hyperactivity≥5 and total score≥12.
Conclusions:
Preterm children are at higher risk of emotional and peer relationship problems than those born full term. The SDQ test could be used for ADHD screening.
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