Follow-up of preschool children with severe emotional and behavioral symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Biological and environmental factors have been related to the persistence of psychopathology in preschool children. The objective of the study was to identify the factors predicting the clinical outcome in preschool inpatients with emotional and behavioral disorders.


METHODS
Twenty-eight children aged 3 to 6.5 years attending a therapeutic nursery were evaluated. Clinical data were collected from the children's charts, including: biological parameters, developmental milestones, intelligence level, socioeconomic status, and stressful life events. Severity of symptoms at follow-up was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression Scale.


RESULTS
Low socioeconomic status, excess stressful life events, and female gender were associated with poor clinical outcome. Biological factors such as pregnancy and birth complications and genetic factors were not significant predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
The study was limited by its retrospective design and small sample size.


CONCLUSIONS
More effort in social interventions and supportive family therapy may improve the outcome of young children with emotional and behavioral problems.
Gothelf
Doron
D
Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqwa, Israel. gothelf@post.tau.ac.il
Gertner
Smadar
S
Mimouni-Bloch
Aviva
A
Freudenstein
Ornit
O
Yirmiya
Nurit
N
Weitz
Rafi
R
Tyano
Sam
S
Spitzer
Sara
S
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index