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Capgras syndrome in children and adolescents: A systematic review
Ron Walfisch1, Polina Perlman Danieli2, Mariela Mosheva3
1The Child Psychiatry Division, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Insights
This study reviews pediatric Capgras syndrome (CS), finding schizophrenia spectrum disorders common. Most pediatric CS cases involve delusions about parents, highlighting a knowledge gap in child psychiatry.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Background:
- Capgras syndrome (CS) is a rare delusional misidentification syndrome.
- Understanding of CS in children and adolescents is limited.
- Pediatric CS presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Conclusions:
- A significant knowledge gap exists regarding pediatric Capgras syndrome.
- This is the first systematic review of pediatric CS in English literature since 1923.
- Further research is needed to improve understanding and management of CS in youth.
Objectives:
To improve understanding of Capgras syndrome (CS) in the pediatric population, this study investigates its clinical features and discerns similarities and differences compared to CS in adults.
Methods:
We conducted a descriptive systematic review of case reports following PRISMA guidelines, including cases of pediatric patients with CS. Patient demographics, medical and psychiatric history, imposter identity, underlying diagnosis, clinical manifestation, treatments, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.
Results:
We included 37 articles comprising 38 cases. The median age of patients was 15, with 23 (60.5%) being male. The most prevalent underlying diagnoses were schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (47.3%). Imposter identity involved parents in 32 cases (84.2%). Associated symptoms included persecutory delusions (63.1%), auditory hallucinations (42.1%), aggression (31.5%), and depression (21.0%).
Conclusion:
There is a significant gap in our understanding of CS, particularly in pediatric patients. This is the first systematic review of CS in pediatric patients, encompassing all cases found in English literature since 1923.
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