Tic Disorders in Children with Frequent Eye-blinking

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We evaluated tic symptoms in children with frequent eye-blinking and examined the differences in mothering behavior and childhood behavioral problems between the tic and normal children, and the clinical factors correlated with tics. METHODS: Fifty children with frequent eye-blinking were evaluated by an experienced psychiatrist and the severity of tic symptoms was assessed with the Korean version of Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. The Korean version of Mothering Behavior Rating Instrument and Child Behavior Checklist were accomplished by the mothers of the tic and normal children. RESULTS: Forty three (86%) children were diagnosed as tic disorders. The diagnostic subtypes were as follows 39 transient tic disorders, two chronic tic disorders, and two Tourette's disorders. Twenty-nine had a simple motor tic, 10 had complex motor tics, and 4 had motor tics with vocal tics. Medication was needed for two children with Tourette's disorders and the other two who revisited with aggravated symptoms after six months. There was no difference in mothering behavior and childhood behavior problems between tic and normal children. The severity of tic was significantly correlated with the somatic symptoms and attentional problems in child behavior problems, and duration of symptoms CONCLUSIONS: Transient tic disorder was the most common diagnosis. Four children with chronic tic and Tourette's disorder needed psychiatric medications. Compared with normal children, there was no difference in mothering and childhood behavior problem in tic children. It is suggested that tics may become more severe with the longer duration of symptom and may influence the somatic symptoms and attention.