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Clinical characteristics according to sex and symptom severity in children with selective mutism: a four-center study

Hicran Dogru1,2, Ilknur Ucuz3, Ayla Uzun Cicek4

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|November 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Selective mutism (SM) in children presents differently based on sex and severity. Females experienced later onset and higher comorbidity rates, while severe SM correlated with longer illness duration and more psychiatric issues.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychiatry
  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Selective mutism (SM) is a debilitating childhood psychiatric disorder with limited clinical data.
  • Understanding sociodemographic factors and comorbidities is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sociodemographic characteristics of children with SM.
  • To identify clinical variables associated with sex and SM severity.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records from 49 children treated for SM in Turkish tertiary hospitals (2016-2021).
  • Review of clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment response.

Main Results:

  • A 1.7:1 female-to-male ratio was observed.
  • Females showed later SM onset (p=0.013) and higher comorbidity rates (p=0.039) than males.
  • Severe SM cases had longer illness duration, increased comorbidities, speech delay, and treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical features of SM in children vary by sex and severity.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the development and maintenance of SM.
Abstract

Keywords:
Comorbidityselective mutismseveritysex differences

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