title: Continuities of common behaviour problems in preschool children.
abstract: This paper describes the prevalence of behaviour problems in 2 populations of preschool children in London, and the continuities over time of common problems. Night waking was the most common problem under the age of 2, being reported in 21% of 1-year-olds. Just under half of these night wakers were still waking at 18 months, and from 18 months to 2 years just over half the children continued waking The continuities of feeding problems were stronger after the age of 2 years, with poor appetite being reported to persist more than food fads. Over 2 years the most common problem reported was temper tantrums, and 45% of the children having frequent tantrums at 2 years were still having frequent tantrums at 3 years. The implications for services and the need for intervention studies are discussed.
mesh_terms: D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012931:Social Environment