Do mental health disorders matter in pre- adolescents with cerebral palsy?

Objective: To assess the rate of mental health disorders according to diagnostic criteria, in pre-adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Design: Participants in this cohort study were 47 children with a diagnosis of CP, assessed at 11 years of age. They were born 2001-2003 and living in the Western Health Region of Norway. The Kiddie-SADS, a child psychiatric, diagnostic instrument, was used for assessment of mental health disorders. Results: Almost four in five children met diagnostic criteria for one or more mental health disorders. Of these children, two in three met criteria for behavioural disorder, one in three met criteria for anxiety disorder, and there was a considerable co-occurrence of disorders. No significant association was found between medical parameters and mental health disorders. Conclusions: Mental health disorders are highly prevalent in pre-adolescents with CP in the present study, and we suggest that mental health assessment should be included as part of the regular follow-up of children with CP. Correspondence to: Hanne Marit Bjorgaas, Department of Child Habilitation and Neurology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger HF, Post box 8100, 4068 Stavanger, Norway, Tel: 47-98895956; E-mail: bjhm@sus.no