Behavioural problems and autism in children with hydrocephalus : a population-based study

• OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of behavioural problems and autism in a population-based group of children with hydrocephalus and to see whether learning disabilities, cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, myelomeningocele (MMC) or preterm birth increase the risk of these problems. METHOD: In the 107 children with hydrocephalus born in western Sweden in 1989-1993, behaviour was assessed using the Conners' parent rating scales in 66 and the teacher's rating scales in 57. Autism was investigated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. RESULTS: Parents rated 67% of the children and teachers 39% of the children as having behavioural problems (>1.5 SD, or T score >65). Learning disabilities increased the risk significantly and almost all the children with CP and/or epilepsy had behavioural problems. Autism was present in nine children (13%), in 20% of those without MMC and in one of 26 with MMC. Autism was significantly more frequent in children with learning disabilities (27% vs. 7%) and in children with CP and/or epilepsy (33% vs. 6%). CONCLUSION: The majority of children with hydrocephalus have behavioural problems and many have autism. It is therefore important to assess and understand all the aspects of cognition and behaviour in these children in order to minimise disability and enhance participation for the child.

Keyword

Autistic Disorder/*epidemiology/etiology

Cerebral Palsy/psychology

Child

Child Behavior Disorders/*epidemiology/etiology

Child

Preschool

Epilepsy/psychology

Female

Humans

Hydrocephalus/*psychology

Infant

Newborn

Infant

Premature/psychology

Learning Disorders/psychology

Male

Meningomyelocele/psychology

Prevalence

Risk Factors

Statistics

Nonparametric

Sweden/epidemiology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)