The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of autism in a sample of visually impaired children and adolescents. A total of 257 blind children and adolescents (age range: 7-18 years) were examined for autism using a three-stage process. The first stage estimated probable cases of autistic disorder based on the Autism Behavior Checklist and the second stage by direct observation of the subjects in different settings. In the third stage, subjects with the probable diagnosis of autistic disorder were asked to undergo psychiatric examination. A final diagnosis of autistic disorder (based on the criteria in DSM-IV) was given after interviewing the caregivers and clinical observation. Thirty of 257 subjects met the criteria for autistic disorder.Comparison of the characteristics of the two groups (autistic and non-autistic) with χ 2 -squared and independent sample t-tests revealed a statistically significant difference in terms of severity of blindness (P = 0.015), cerebral palsy (P = 0.02) and intellectual level (P = 0.001). The results of the present study suggest that subjects with blindness plus autism have greater neurological impairment (as suggested by the presence of lower intellectual level and cerebral palsy), and more severe visual impairment than the subjects with blindness only.

Objective: The shortage of cross-culturally validated instruments limits the study and treatment of psychopathology in countries other than English-speaking ones. The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale -Child Version (RCADS-CV) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses dimensions of DSM anxiety and depressive disorders in youths. In this present study, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the RCADS-CV in a clinical sample of children in Turkey. Method: The participants were 483 children aged 8-17 years old. Subjects were recruited from the following centers: Bezmialem University Hospital (55.7%), Kütahya Regional Hospital (17.4%), Istanbul Medical Faculty Hospital of the Istanbul University (16.7%), and Sakarya University Hospital (12.2%). A semi-structured diagnostic interview was carried out and the following measures were used: Children's Depression Inventory, Screen for Child AnxietyRelated Emotional Disorders (SCARED), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Inter-scale reliability was strong/excellent with a Cronbach's α of .95 and coefficients for the RCADS-CV subscales ranging from .75 to .86, demonstrating good internal consistency. Convergent and discriminant validity tests against both a semi-structured clinical interview and self-report measures suggested favorable properties. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original six-factor model. RCADS-CV showed greater correspondence to specific diagnoses in comparative tests with the existing measures of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Overall, the study provides satisfactory evidence that the Turkish RCADS-CV yields valid scores for clinical purposes among Turkish children. ARTICLE HISTORY

The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence and associated factors of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), including autistic disorder and PDD not otherwise specified (NOS), in a clinical sample of 126 children and adolescents (75 males, 51 females; age range 4–18y, mean 8y 8mo, SD 3y 8mo) with tetraplegic, hemiplegic, diplegic, dyskinetic, or mixed types of cerebral palsy (CP); 28% could not crawl or walk even with support, 29% could move with support, and 43% walked independently. Participants were examined for PDD in two stages. In the first stage, probable participants were determined by direct observation, Autism Behavior Checklist score, and medical reports. In the second stage, those with ‘probable’ symptoms underwent psychiatric examination and their autistic symptoms were scored on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The final diagnosis of autistic disorder or PDD‐NOS was given according to DSM‐IV criteria. Fourteen (11%) and five (4%) of the participants met the criteria for autistic disorder and PDD‐NOS respectively. Children with CP and PDD differed from those without PDD in terms of type of CP (p=0.02), presence of epilepsy (p<0.001), intellectual level (p<0.001), and level of speech (p<0.001). PDD was more common in children with tetraplegic, mixed, and hemiplegic CP, and in children with epilepsy, learning disability,* and low level of speech. The findings corroborate the notion that CP is a complex disorder, often associated with additional impairments. PDD is not rare in CP and should be considered in patients with comorbid conditions such as epilepsy, learning disability, and language delay and in the presence of tetraplegic, mixed, and hemiplegic CP types.

ESS Epworth Sleepiness Scale IRLSSG International Restless Legs SyndromeStudy Group PLMS Periodic limb movements in sleep RLS Restless legs syndrome SDQ Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire AIM The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in adolescents.METHOD A sleep questionnaire aimed at identifying 'definite' RLS criteria (also including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale) was completed by 3304 high school adolescents aged 15 to 18 years (49% male; 51% female) in Gaziantep, Turkey. The diagnosis of RLS was confirmed by face-to-face or phone interviewing. The v 2 or Student's t-test and logistic regression tests were used for statistical evaluation.RESULTS 'Definite' RLS was diagnosed in 3.6% of participants. RLS symptoms were reported to occur on more than one occasion per week (frequent RLS) in 2% of participants and to make it to difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep (RLS with sleeping difficulty) in 1.7%. The prevalence of the combination of frequent symptoms and sleeping difficulty was 0.8%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that RLS was independently associated with nocturnal bed-wetting (4.2% vs 0.8%; p=0.004), sleeping difficulty (47% vs 32%; p=0.011), Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (4.9 vs 3.9; p=0.036), hyperactivity ⁄ inattention (25% vs 14%; p=0.049), awakening with discomfort in the legs (51% vs 30%; p<0.001), and parents with RLS-implying symptoms (56% vs 38%; p=0.006). RLS with sleeping difficulty was associated with hyperactivity ⁄ inattention (p=0.007); frequent RLS was associated with arm restlessness (p=0.006).INTERPRETATION 'Definite' RLS is not rare in adolescents; furthermore, it may be accompanied by several comorbid conditions that can impair quality of life in adolescents.Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder of the legs. According to the diagnostic criteria revised by the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) in 2003, 1 RLS has four essential characteristics: (1) an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually associated or caused by unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations, that (2) begins or worsens during periods of rest, (3) is relieved by movement, and (4) occurs or worsens in the evening or at night. These essential criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of 'definite' RLS in adults and adolescents aged 12 or older. Supportive criteria have been proposed for special populations such as children and individuals with cognitive impairment. Individuals who do not meet all the criteria of 'definite' RLS may be defined as having 'probable' or 'possible' RLS. 1 Several epidemiological surveys have been conducted in adults. However, there are few studies in children and adolescents, 2,3 and only one epidemiological study has been based on the latest diagnostic criteria in a paediatric population. 4 Laberge et al. 2 found leg restlessness at bedtime in 6.1% of children in their study. Kotagal and Silber 3 reported a prevalence of RLS of 5.9%, with a ratio o...

Everolimus was well tolerated without severe adverse effects. It was helpful in controlling seizures and additional improvements were noted in autistic, ADHD, and depressive symptoms.