Paediatric assessment in a residential child and adolescent psychiatry unit.
OBJECTIVE
To document the health status, comorbidity and functional impairments experienced by a group of psychiatrically disturbed children and adolescents.


METHODS
A detailed study of consecutive admissions to a residential unit over a two-year period was undertaken. All admissions had a comprehensive paediatric, speech pathology and psychiatric assessment.


RESULTS
Compared to the general population, there was a significant history of developmental delay and low birthweight, but only a slightly greater prevalence of antenatal problems. Clumsiness (37%), severe speech and language disorder (32%), and hearing loss (15%) were prominent. Only 25% had no history of comorbid medical or neurological disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Children and adolescents presenting with moderate to severe mental health morbidity may have pre-existing comorbid medical problems, as well as unrecognised difficulties and impairments in other skills areas. Multidisciplinary assessment and intervention should be an integral part of the residential programme.
McDonald
C A
CA
Department of Health, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Paterson
R
R
Bauer
P
P
McDermott
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012114:Residential Treatment; D014904:Western Australia