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Symptom development in childhood onset schizophrenia.
J M Watkins1, R F Asarnow, P E Tanguay
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Early developmental issues, including language deficits and autism symptoms, precede schizophrenia onset in children. These symptoms appear years before formal diagnosis, often starting in infancy.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Schizophrenia onset in children is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Understanding early symptom trajectories is crucial for timely intervention.
- Previous research has explored childhood-onset schizophrenia, but early developmental precursors require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the developmental progression of symptoms in children diagnosed with schizophrenia before age 10.
- To identify early behavioral and developmental markers preceding the onset of schizophrenic symptoms.
- To investigate the relationship between infantile autism symptoms and the age of schizophrenia onset.
Main Methods:
- A follow-back design was employed, studying 18 children meeting DSM-III criteria for early-onset schizophrenia.
- Symptom development was assessed retrospectively across four age levels using the DSM-III Symptom Rating Scale and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist.
- Data analysis focused on identifying patterns in social, cognitive, sensory, and motor functioning.
Main Results:
- A broad spectrum of symptoms affecting social, cognitive, sensory, and motor functions emerged gradually, often starting in early infancy, years before schizophrenic symptoms.
- Prior to age 6, 72% of children exhibited severe language deficits and motor development problems; 39% showed symptoms of infantile autism.
- Children with a history of infantile autism symptoms had an earlier onset of schizophrenia compared to others in the sample. No DSM-III defined schizophrenia was observed before age 6.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood, particularly infancy, is a critical period for the emergence of precursor symptoms to childhood-onset schizophrenia.
- Language deficits, motor problems, and autistic symptoms are significant early indicators.
- The presence of infantile autism symptoms is associated with an earlier schizophrenia diagnosis, highlighting a potential shared developmental pathway.