Prevalence of psychopathology in preschool-age children.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about psychopathology in preschool-age children.


METHODS
A review of representative studies of psychiatric disorders in preschoolers.


RESULTS
Sample sizes ranged from 104 to 3,860 subjects, ages 1 to 9 years. Prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders varied from 0.1% to 26.4%; high rates of co-morbidity were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Studies addressing psychiatric disorders in preschoolers are extremely limited. Future research is needed to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in preschool-age children.
McDonnell
Mary Ann
MA
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research, Massachussetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. mjohnson20@partners.org
Glod
Carol
C
D017677:Age Distribution; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology