Child Psychiatry Flashcards
What is autism?
A pervasive developmental disorder
Characterised by a triad of impairment in social interaction, impairment in communication, and restricted, stereotype interests and behaviours.
What is the prenatal aetiology of autism?
Genetics e.g. chromosome 7
Older parental age
Drugs e.g. sodium valproate
Prenatal viral infections e.g. rubella
What is the antenatal aetiology of autism?
Obstetric complications e.g. hypoxia during childbirth
Decrease GA at birth
Low birthweight
What is the postnatal aetiology of autism?
Toxins such as lead and mercury
Pesticide exposure
No proven link between the MMR vaccine and autism!
What are the risk factors for autism?
Male 4x more likely to be affected Genetics/family history Advanced parental age Parental psychiatric disorders e.g. schizophrenia Prematurity - before 35 weeks Maternal medication e.g. SV
What are the features of autism?
ABC
Asocial - few social gestures, lack of eye contact, social smile, response to name, interest in others.
Behaviour restricted - rocking, twisting, upset at any change of daily routine, same foods, play same games, fascination with sensory aspects
Communication impaired - distorted or delayed speech, echolalia - repetition of words
Onset of autism before age of 3 years. Atypical autism after 3.
intellectual disability can occur, temper tantrums, impulsivity, cognitive impairment.
What other conditions are associated with autism?
Epileptic seizures - 20% Visual impairment Hearing impairment Infections Pica - eating inedible objects Constipation Sleep disorders Underlying medical conditions e.g. PKU, fragile X, CMV, congenital rubella Psychiatric disorders - depression, bipolar, psychosis, OCD
What questions can be asked in a history of autism?
Child ever engage in pretend play alone or with others
Does the child struggle to interact or make friends
Have you noticed them making any abnormal movements e.g. flapping hands, walking on tiptoes
Do they struggle to communicate, is speech monotonous or repetitive
Do you have any concerns about your child’s development
What is the ICD10 criteria for the diagnosis of autism?
A. Presence of abnormal or impaired development before the age of 3
B. Qualitative abnormalities in social interaction
C. Qualitative abnormalities in communication
D. Restrictive, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities.
E. The clinical picture is not attributable to other varieties of pervasive development disorder
What is seen on MSE in autism?
Appearance and Behaviour
Ritualised, clapping, rocking, poor eye contact, lack of facial expression
Speech
Delayed, difficulty initiating and maintaining conversation, repetitive language, unusual rate, rhythm and tone
Mood
Normal or erratic mood changes
Thought
Obsessions and compulsions
Intense preoccupation with special interests
Perception
Sensitive to noise, touch, smell
Cognition
Impaired attention
May concentrate on special interests
Insight
May be poor
May be distressed if aware the don’t fit in
What are the investigations for autism?
Full developmental history FH, pregnancy, birth, PMH Developmental milestones Daily living skills Assessment of communication, interaction and behaviour
Hearing tests if required
Screening tools inc CHAT Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
What are the differentials for autism?
Asperger's Rett's Childhood disintegrative disorder Learning disability Deafness Childhood schizophrenia
What is Asperger’s?
Similar to autism
Abnormalities in social interaction
Restricted stereotyped repetitive interests and behaviours
No impairment in language, cognition or intelligence
IQ normal
More prevalent in boys
What is Rett’s syndrome?
Severe progressive disorder Starts early in life Results in language impairment, repetitive stereotyped hand movements, loss of fine motor skills irregular breathing and seizures Almost exclusively seen in girls
What is Heller’s syndrome?
Childhood disintegrative disorder
Two years of normal development followed by loss of previously learned skills
Associated with repetitive, stereotyped interests and behaviours
Cognitive deterioration
What is the general management of autism?
Diagnosis be specialist
Local autism MDT teams and a key worker to manage
Speech and language, OT, educational psychologists
CBT
Interventions for life skills to support daily living, coping strategies, enable access to education and community facilities e.g. for sport
Address needs of physical, mental health and behaviour
Families offered support
Special schools
Melatonin for sleep disorders
What are the interventions for the core features of autism?
Social-communication intervention - play based strategies.
Do not use pharmacological agents
What are the interventions for challenging behaviour in autism?
Treat co-existing physical disorders e.g. epilepsy, constipation, mental health problems, behavioural problems
Modification of environmental factors e.g. lighting, noise, social circumstances
Antipsychotics e.g. risperidone considered when psychosocial interventions insufficient or features are severe
What is the bio-psychosocial management of autism?
Biological
Treat co-existing disorders
Antipsychotics for behaviour
Melatonin
Psychological
Psychoeducation for families
Assessment of behaviour etc
CBT
Social Modification of environmental factors Social-communication intervention Self-help groups Special schooling
What is ADHD characterised by?
Inattention, Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
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Early onset, persistent, present in >1 situation
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More frequent and severe than comparable individuals
How common is ADHD?
2.4% prevalence
What can cause ADHD?
Genetic - DRD4/5 gene
Neurochemical - dopaminergic pathway changes
Neurodevelopmental - pre-frontal cortex abnormalities
Social - Drug/alcohol in parents, social deprivation
How is ADHD diagnosed?
Assessment by CAMHS to observe child, talk to parents and teachers and looking at school reports
DIVA test is used to judge symptoms
To be diagnosed, symptoms must interfere with performance
What inattentive signs are typical of ADHD?
Distracted so doesnt finish tasks Avoid tasks that req. concentration for a long time Doesnt listen Lose and forget belongings Trouble organising tasks
What hyperactivity/impulsive signs are typical of ADHD?
Fidget and restless Doesn't engage in quiet activities Temper tantrums and aggression Doesnt wait their turn Talk lots, interrupt others, blurt out answers at school
What is hyperkinetic disorder?
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Early onset, persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
What is the aetiology of ADHD?
Genetic predisposition
Neurochemical - reports of link between hyperkinetic disorder and genes coding for dopaminergic pathways
Neurodevelopment abnormalities in the pre-frontal cortex
Social deprivation, family conflict, parental cannabis and alcohol exposure
What are the risk factors for hyperkinetic disorder?
Male - 3x more likely
Family history
Environmental risk factors such as social deprivation, cannabis and alcohol
What are the three core features of hyperkinetic disorder?
Inattention - not listening, distractable, reluctant to engage, forgetting or regularly losing belongings
Hyperactivity - restless, reckless, running and jumping around inappropriate places, cannot engage in quiet activities, excessive talking
Impulsivity - difficulty waiting turn, interrupting others, blurt out answers, disobedient, temper tantrums
What is the ICD-10 criteria for hyperkinetic disorder?
Abnormality of attention, activity and impulsivity at home.
Also at school or nursery
Directly observed abnormality of attention or activity
Does not meet criteria for a pervasive developmental disorder, mania, depressive or anxiety disorder.
Onset before 7
Duration >6 months
IQ above 50
What can be asked in the history of hyperkinetic disorder?
Inattention - reluctant to engage, leaves activities unfinished, loses stuff, does not listen when spoken to
Hyperactivity - constantly fidgeting, jumping, running, cannot sit still
Impulsivity - cannot wait turn, blurts out answers
What is important in an assessment of hyperkinetic disorder?
Observe child - overawed by clinical context, may interrupt parents
Speak to child - do they make eye contact, offer them a toy are they easily distracted
Speak to parents
What is observed on an MSE in hyperkinetic disorder?
Appearance and Behaviour - fidgety, unable to sit still, running, jumping, climbing
Speech - loud, at inappropriate times, makes inexcessive noise
Mood - normal, may be low if co-morbid depressive disorder
No disorders or hallucinations
Poor attention levels, lac of concentration
Poor insight
What are the investigations for hyperkinetic disorder?
Blood tests including TFTs to rule out thyroid disease
Hearing tests - examine middle and inner ear
Rating scales