Trajectory of the body mass index of children and adolescents attending a reference mental health center.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to describe the standardized body mass index (z-BMI) trajectory of children and adolescents admitted to a psychiatric reference center in Mexico City according to their diagnosis and medication use. The secondary objective was to compare z-BMI between antipsychotic users and non-users. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. The psychiatric diagnosis, prescribed medications, serial heights, and weights were collected from the medical records. RESULTS: The median baseline z-BMI of the 129 analyzed cases was 0.88 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0-1.92), and the prevalence of excessive weight (obesity or overweight) was 46.8 %. At the end of follow-up (median 50.3 weeks), the median change in z-BMI was -0.09 (IQR: -0.68 to 0.42). New long-term users of antipsychotics (n=29) had an increase in their z-BMI, in contrast to never-users (median difference 0.73, p=0.01) and to previous users (median difference 0.92, p=0.047). The 59 subjects with excessive weight at admission had a median z-BMI change of -0.39 (IQR: -0.81 to -0.04). Among patients with excessive weight and depression, there was a greater decrease in z-BMI in sertraline users (n=13) compared with fluoxetine users (n=15) (median -0.65 vs. 0.21, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: New long-term users of antipsychotics showed a significant increase in their z-BMI. Patients with depressive disorders and obesity on sertraline therapy tended to show a decrease in their z-BMI.

Pediatric and psychiatric models of autism care in Mexico: Differences in diagnostic tools and prescribed interventions.

Low- and middle-income countries face heterogeneity in the way clinicians' approach Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and treatment. The current study analyzes the diagnostic tools, laboratory tests, pharmacological and psychosocial interventions received by patients during the steps to diagnosis and treatment of two specialized care centers. Researchers interviewed families with a child with ASD receiving services at either a child psychiatric or a pediatric hospital. Of the total sample, 47% reported clinicians not using a diagnostic tool, 20% reported not receiving any psychosocial intervention, and 88% reported receiving a pharmacological prescription. Patients at the pediatric hospital were more likely to receive interventions with some components of Applied Behavioral Analysis, Early Start Denver Model, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children, and Sensory integration therapy; while patients at the psychiatric hospital were more likely to undergo learning, daily living skills, and socialization therapies. Patients at the psychiatric hospital received significantly more requests to obtain auditory and vision tests whilst genetic testing and imaging were more common in the pediatric hospital. The range and variability in terms of diagnostic tools, laboratory tests, and treatment options observed for both sites reflect a lack of consensus. Recommendations to improve ASD diagnostic and treatment in Mexico are given.

Self-Harm in Children and Adolescents Who Presented at Emergency Units During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare psychiatric emergencies and self-harm at emergency departments (EDs) 1 year into the pandemic, to early pandemic and pre-pandemic, and to examine the changes in the characteristics of self-harm presentations. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study expanded on the Pandemic-Related Emergency Psychiatric Presentations (PREP-kids) study. Routine record data in March to April of 2019, 2020, and 2021 from 62 EDs in 25 countries were included. ED presentations made by children and adolescents for any mental health reasons were analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether, 8,174 psychiatric presentations were recorded (63.5% female; mean [SD] age, 14.3 [2.6] years), 3,742 of which were self-harm presentations. Rate of psychiatric ED presentations in March to April 2021 was twice as high as in March to April 2020 (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60-2.33), and 50% higher than in March to April 2019 (IRR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.25-1.81). Rate of self-harm presentations doubled between March to April 2020 and March to April 2021 (IRR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.68-2.34), and was overall 1.7 times higher than in March to April 2019 (IRR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.44-2.00). Comparing self-harm characteristics in March to April 2021 with March to April 2019, self-harm contributed to a higher proportion of all psychiatric presentations (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.62), whereas female representation in self-harm presentations doubled (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.45-2.72) and follow-up appointments were offered 4 times as often (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 2.32-8.58). CONCLUSION: Increased pediatric ED visits for both self-harm and psychiatric reasons were observed, suggesting potential deterioration in child mental health. Self-harm in girls possibly increased and needs to be prioritized. Clinical services should continue using follow-up appointments to support discharge from EDs. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.

The role of circadian rhythms in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity: A narrative review / El papel de los ritmos circadianos en personas con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad y obesidad: Una revisión narrativa

Abstract Background A relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity has been consistently documented. Obesity and metabolic syndrome have been associated with misalignment between daily activities and circadian rhythm. ADHD patients have a high prevalence of delayed sleep phase syndrome, which is a circadian rhythm disorder. Understanding this relationship is important for the evaluation of obese population at risk. Objective The aim of this narrative review was to summarize the information updated until 2019 about the role of circadian rhythms in obese ADHD individuals. Method A search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar database. The terms ADHD, obesity, circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, adolescent, adult, Adolesc, circadian, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and child were combined with logical functions. Results A total of 132 articles were reviewed. Evidence showed that ADHD subjects have an increased risk to present obesity and circadian rhythms disorders. Some possible pathways for this relationship have been hypothesized including obesity as a risk factor, an underpinned common biological dysfunction, and behavioral and cognitive features of individuals with ADHD. As most of the articles are methodologically cross-sectional, it is not possible to establish causative associations. Discussion and conclusion This review points out the importance of early recognizing and treating circadian rhythms disorders and obesity in ADHD patients. Future studies must be carried out with a longitudinal design to establish the effect of each comorbidity in the treatment of individuals with ADHD.

Resumen Antecedentes La relación entre el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) y la obesidad se ha documentado consistentemente. Por otro lado, el síndrome metabólico y la obesidad se han asociado con un desfase del ritmo circadiano. En poblaciones clínicas con TDAH se han encontrado una alta prevalencia del trastorno de fase de sueño retrasada, el cual es un trastorno del ritmo circadiano. Entender la relación entre estos padecimientos es importante para evaluar la población en riesgo de obesidad. Objetivo Resumir la información actualizada hasta 2019 sobre el rol del ritmo circadiano en individuos obesos con TDAH. Método Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos en las bases de datos MEDLINE, EMBASE y Google Scholar. Los términos TDAH, obesidad, ritmos circadianos, trastornos del sueño, adolescentes, adultos y niños se combinaron con operadores lógicos. Resultados Se revisaron un total de 132 artículos. La evidencia demostró que los sujetos con TDAH tienen un alto riesgo de sufrir obesidad y ritmos circadianos alterados. Existen algunas hipótesis para establecer esta relación, incluyendo la obesidad como factor de riesgo para TDAH, la disfunción biológica común entre estos trastornos y las características conductuales y cognitivas de los individuos con TDAH. Sin embargo, como la mayoría de los artículos son transversales, no es posible establecer una asociación causal. Discusión y conclusión Esta revisión señala la importancia del reconocimiento temprano y tratamiento de los trastornos del ritmo circadiano y obesidad en pacientes con TDAH. Estudios futuros deben realizarse de manera longitudinal para establecer el efecto de estas comorbilidades en el tratamiento de los individuos con TDAH.

Pathways to a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the pathways to obtaining a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the Mexican health system. METHODS: Parents of children with ASD (N=186) were approached at specialized health centers and interviewed about the sequence of professionals they contacted that led to a diagnosis. The authors established the pathway to diagnosis, time of first parental concerns, time of first consultation, age of the child at diagnosis, and other measures. A Sankey plot was used to illustrate the complexity of the pathway to diagnosis. Diagnostic delays among children with autism were compared with delays among subsamples of children with Asperger's syndrome. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of socioeconomic and clinical variables on diagnostic delays. RESULTS: The median diagnostic delay was 27 months (interquartile range [IQR] 8-36), and three professional contacts (IQR 3-6) were needed to achieve a diagnosis. Patients switched between primary and tertiary care even in later stages of the pathway. Patients with Asperger's syndrome had longer delays than patients with autism, and girls and older patients took more time to receive a diagnosis. Parental concerns regarding language, developmental issues, and perceived developmental regression resulted in shorter diagnostic delays. CONCLUSIONS: Pathways to diagnosis of ASD are long and involve multiple contacts, with patients alternating between primary and specialized care. This pattern reflects failures in the diagnostic protocols and referral systems of clinical centers in Mexico, and such issues may be experienced in countries with similarly overwhelmed health care systems.

Asociación de comorbilidades y funcionamiento global en hijos de padres con trastorno bipolar / Overall functioning in offsprings of parents with bipolar disorder and its association with clinical and sociodemographic variables

The presence of a psychiatric disorder in parents is associated with increased frequency of psychopathology in their offsprings. Children of parents diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) are at greater risk and lower function. However, it has not yet been determined precisely which clinical and sociodemographic factors are associated with the presentation of psychiatric disorders in this group of children and adolescents at risk. Under this framework, the aim of this study was to determine the clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with a lower function. We recruited 61 children and adolescents with ages ranging from six to 17. All of them were the children of parents with BD who were patients attended at the National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz. Clinical evaluation was developed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and Children's Global Assesment Scale (C-GAS) scale was used to established the overall functioning. Of the 61 evaluated 62.3% were women, the lowest function (defined by <81 points C-GAS) was found in 44.3% of women vs. 18% men (x²=3.29, p<0.043). Comorbidity with major depressive disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or op-positional defiant disorder conferred ten times greater risk of lower global function. Being a woman gives three times higher risk for a lower global function. Conclusion We found that the comorbid externalizing disorders and depression, as well as the female gender characteristics are linked to lower function in children and adolescents of parents with BD.

La presencia de un trastorno psiquiátrico en los padres se asocia con una mayor frecuencia de psicopatología en sus hijos. Así, los hijos de padres con diagnóstico de Trastorno Bipolar (TB) comparados con aquellos hijos de padres sin psicopatología tienen mayor riesgo de presentar distintos trastornos psiquiátricos, a edades más tempranas, así como disminución en su funcionamiento global, sin embargo aún no se han determinado con precisión cuáles son los factores clínicos y socio demográficos asociados a la presentación de trastornos psiquiátricos en este grupo de niños y adolescentes en riesgo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar y comparar las variables clínicas y socio demográficas asociadas a un menor funcionamiento global en una muestra de niños y adolescentes hijos de padres con TB. Previo asentimiento y consentimiento informado se reclutaron 61 menores de entre seis y 17 años de edad, hijos de padres con TB que fueran pacientes de la Clínica de Trastornos Afectivos del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz. El diagnóstico de los menores se estableció mediante entrevista clínica utilizando el K-SADS-PL, y con la escala C-GAS se determinó el funcionamiento global. De los 61 evaluados, 62.3% fueron mujeres, el menor funcionamiento (definido por una puntuación <81) se encontró en el 44.3% de las mujeres vs. el 18% de los hombres (x²=3.29, p<0.043). Al evaluar la comorbilidad se encontró que los sujetos con trastorno depresivo mayor (TDM), trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) y trastorno negativista desafiante (TND) presentaron 10 veces mayor riesgo de cursar con menor funcionamiento global. Ser mujer confiere tres veces mayor riesgo para un menor funcionamiento. Conclusión Se encontró que la comorbilidad con trastornos externalizados y depresión, así como el género femenino, son las características vinculadas al menor funcionamiento global en hijos de padres con TB.

Manifestaciones clínicas y tratamiento del trastorno bipolar en niños y adolescentes, una actualización basada en la evidencia / Clinical manifestations and treatment of bipolar disorder (BPD) in children and adolescents, an evidence-based up-to-date approximation

The phenomenology of pediatric bipolar disorder is different from the classical presentation of this disorder in adults as indicated by high rates of psychotic symptoms, episodes and rapid cycling, longer duration of episodes and the presence of subsindromatic symptoms for long periods. The long-term outcome of patients with pediatric onset is worse than those with adult onset. In the last decade, pharmacological research has increased, showing that the response to treatment in children and adolescents is different from that of adults, being better with the combination of psychotropic drugs. Psychosocial interventions involve psychoeducation and skills training can be an alternative treatment for children and adolescents at risk for bipolar disorder.

La fenomenología del trastorno bipolar pediátrico es distinta a la presentación clásica de este trastorno en adultos como lo indican las altas tasas de síntomas psicóticos, episodios de ciclaje rápido, alta duración de los episodios, así como la presencia de síntomas subsindromáticos por períodos largos. El pronóstico de los pacientes que inician la enfermedad durante la infancia y/o adolescencia es peor que para aquellos que la inician en la vida adulta. En la última década se ha incrementado la investigación farmacológica para este trastorno, los ensayos clínicos han mostrado que la respuesta de niños y adolescentes es distinta a la de los adultos, ofreciéndose mejores resultados con la combinación de psicofármacos. Las intervenciones psicosociales involucran a la psicoeducación y el entrenamiento en habilidades, pueden ser una alternativa de tratamiento para los niños y adolescentes con riesgo de desarrollar un trastorno bipolar.