Behavior problems among preschool children.

Of 200 preschool children (aged 3-6 years) screened in the Pediatric Outpatient Department, over a period of six months, 44 (22%) had behavior problems. The prevalence of behavior problems was higher among boys. Second-born boys and the eldest girls had a higher prevalence of temper tantrums, destructive nature, difficulty in management and hyperactivity. Fearful reactions and attention seeking behavior was encountered only in girls. Behavior problems were more common in children from nuclear families and a lower socio-economic status.

Immunoglobulin profile in schizophrenia.

The present study was conducted on 40 new consecutive schizophrenic patients admitted in the psychiatry ward. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was done by Research Diagnosis Criteria (RDC). Serum immunoglobulins were were estimated in schizophrenic patients and were age and sex matched with 40 healthy individuals, comprising the control group. The IgG and IgA mean levels of schizophrenic patients were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the normal healthy individuals. There were however no significant differences between the schizophrenic patients and control group regarding total proteins, albumin and globulin levels. In subtypes of schinophrenia based on phenomenology only, paranoid group scored significantly higher (p < 0.01) IgG and IgA mean values than other types of Schizophrenia (catatonic, disorganised and undifferentiated).

Enuresis: an analysis of 82 cases.

Of 400 children over the age of four years, 82 (20.5%) were found to be enuretics. Enuresis was found to be statistically higher (p less than 0.001) in lower social class and between the age group 3 to 5 years. Enuresis was found to be significantly more among boys as compared to girls (p less than 0.001). Various stress factors (e.g. negligence, overprotection, strictness of parents etc) and other associated habit disorders (e.g. fear reactions, nailbiting, temper-tantrums etc) were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in enuretics as compared to control group. The group who was put on combined drug (imipramine) and psychological treatment showed a better long term response than the patients who were put only on drug or psychological treatment (p less than 0.001).

Breath holding spells: an analysis of 50 cases.

Of 50 preschool children having breath holding spells (M:F::3:1) (BHS), 80.0% were less than 18 months of age (mean age 16 +/- 5 mo). More children came from a lower social class (70.0%) and a nuclear family (64.0%). Seventy four per cent cases had onset of BHS within 12 months of age (mean 9.6 mo) and the commonest frequency was 1 to 3 spells per week (56.0%). Cyanosis and tonic-clonic spasms were seen in 96.0 and 84.0% cases, respectively. Anger and frustration were the common triggering factors in 90.0% cases. No ante-, peri- and postnatal factors were significantly associated with the study group as compared to the control cases. The mean scores on Behaviour Screening Questionnaire measuring child's habits related to feeding, toilet and sleep were not significantly different in the study and control groups but the difference was significant (p less than 0.05) for behaviour measuring child's social habits. Parental attitudes, measured on Attitude Screening Questionnaires, were also not significantly different in the study and control groups. Mean hemoglobin and percentage transferrin saturation were significantly lower in the study group as compared to the controls (p less than 0.001). There was a significant decrease in severity and frequency of spells with oral iron therapy.

Immunoglobulin profile in acute psychiatric disorders.

In a prospective study of 80 new female patients with acute psychiatric disorders (40 each with schizophrenia and major affective disorder), elevated (P less than 0.001) serum concentrations of IgG and IgA were found in comparison to healthy control groups matched for age and sex. In schizophrenic patients the mean levels of IgG (1682.76 mg/dl) and IgA (321.12 mg/dl) were found to be significantly more as compared to those in the control group (IgG-1213.18 mg/dl and IgA - 210.14 mg/dl). Patients with paranoid schizophrenia had significantly high mean serum levels of IgG (1896.86 mg/dl) and IgA (376.16 mg/dl) in comparison to other subtypes of schizophrenia (i.e., catatonic, disorganized and undifferentiated). Mean serum concentrations of IgG and IgA in major affective disorder - mania (IgG 1526.36 mg/dl and IgA 382.16 mg/dl) and major depressive episode (IgG 2008.12 mg/dl and IgA 536.72 mg/dl) were found to be significantly higher as compared to those in the control group (IgG-920.21 mg/dl and IgA - 232.12 mg/dl).