Introduction: Epidemiological surveys indicate that the prevalence of autism is rising worldwide. A study in Sri Lanka has shown 1 in 93 children to be affected. Early diagnosis is vital as early intensive behavioural interventions improve outcome in autism. It has been shown that the level of physicians' knowledge of autism influences the average age of diagnosis and provision of further information to caregivers.
Objectives:To assess the knowledge of diagnostic features and comorbidities of childhood autism among doctors in a tertiary care hospital and to identify the factors affecting it.Method: A descriptive study was conducted on 176 doctors at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, using the Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers Questionnaire. Data was collected by authors and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical review committee of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.Results: Majority (61.9%) considered themselves incompetent in identifying autism. Knowledge was highest regarding symptoms of impaired social interactions (75.81%) and lowest for restricted repetitive interests/behaviours (60.79%), with a significant difference between medical officers and postgraduate trainees (p=0.045). ___________________________________________
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major public health problem affecting all cultures and social classes. Estimated global prevalence of CSA is 11.8% [1]. Retrospective studies in Sri Lanka have shown prevalence of sexual abuse among adolescents to be 21.9% [2]. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out of all children referred through courts or Judicial Medical Officer to a Child Guidance Clinic at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, from 2010-2014, due to alleged CSA. Psychological consequences were assessed by a Consultant Psychiatrist and diagnosis was made according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10 th edition. Approval was obtained from Ethics Review Committee of The Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo. Data obtained from case records were suitably altered to maintain confidentiality.
Background: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a high prevalence and is frequently associated with comorbid illnesses.Objective: To assess the comorbid patterns, sociodemographic profiles, management patterns and outcomes amongst children with ADHD presenting to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.
Method:Two hundred patients, aged 6-12 years, diagnosed with ADHD, were assessed for their demographic features and comorbidities based on DSM IV criteria.
Results:Of the 200 children, 166 (83%) were male and 198 (99%) were schooling. While 108 (54%) had a single neuropsychiatric comorbidity, 30 (15%) had 2 comorbidities and 1 (0.5%) had 3 comorbidities. Specific developmental disorder of scholastic skills (SDDSS) was the most prevalent comorbidity and was seen in 90 (45%) patients. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was seen in 56 (28%) children and 17 (8.5%) had both SDDSS and ODD. In the sample, 90% of children were born of uneventful deliveries. Postnatal complications were found in 12% children. In the sample, 30% had a history of febrile fits and 2.5% had a history of afebrile fits.
Conclusions:In this sample of 200 children with diagnosed ADHD, 139 (69.5%) had one or more neuropsychiatric comorbidities. SDDSS was the most prevalent comorbidity ___________________________________________
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