Clinical Profile of Early Onset Psychosis in a Nigerian Sample

Abstract

Aims: This study assesses the clinical profile of children and adolescents with psychotic disorders presenting to a psychiatric facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Study Design: The study design was a retrospective chart review. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the largest child psychiatric facility in Nigeria, the Child and Adolescent center of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, from October to December 2011. Methodology: Patients (n=168) with early onset psychotic disorder presenting to the facility within a two year period (September 2009 to August 2011) were reviewed. Using a pro-forma containing variables of interest derived from a literature review of the research subject, the case notes of all children and adolescents with psychotic disorder presenting to the facility were reviewed to determine their presentation, clinical characteristics and diagnostic subtypes. Diagnoses were according to the ICD-10 criteria.