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Objective: In this study, it was aimed to examine the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients hospitalized in Ankara City Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit during the pandemic period. Material and Methods: Medical records of children and adolescents who were hospitalized in Ankara City Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit between March 2021 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were evaluated in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment, duration of hospitalization, and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) scores at admission and discharge. Results: In our study, the mean age of 132 cases (86 girls, 46 boys) was found 15.1±1.8 years. The main diagnoses of the subjects were 30.3% (n=40) major depressive disorder, 25% (n=33) psychotic disorder, 14.4% (n=19) eating disorders, and the remaining 30.3% (n=40) were other disorders. Comorbidity was found in 63.6% (n=84) of the cases. The presence of eating disorders, comorbidity and antidepressant use were found significantly higher in females. There was a significant differences in major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), psychotic disorder, eating disorder, conduct disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between admission and discharge CGI-Severity (CGI-S) scores. In addition, there was a significant difference between admission and discharge CGI side effects scores only for BD. Conclusion: In our study, major depressive disorder, psychotic disorder, and eating disorder were the most common diagnoses of cases hospitalized in inpatient unit. There was a comorbidity accompanying two out of every three cases. There are few child and adolescent psychiatry services in our country, and studies on this subject are scarce. It is thought that our study will contribute to the literature on child and adolescent psychiatry inpatient units.

Background: This study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, cigarette, alcohol, drug usage contribute to psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) among adolescents during the pandemic. We also aimed to explore whether baseline inflammatory markers or the number of SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms are associated with PLEs, and the latter is mediated by internalizing symptoms. Methods: Altogether, 684 adolescents aged 12–18 (SARS-CoV-2 group n = 361, control group (CG) n = 323) were recruited. The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences-42-Positive Dimension (CAPE-Pos), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires were completed by all volunteers using an online survey. C-reactive Protein and hemogram values, and SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms during the acute infection period were recorded in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Group comparisons, correlations, logistic regression, and bootstrapped mediation analyses were performed. Results: CAPE-Pos-Frequency/Stress scores were significantly higher, whereas GAD-7-Total and PSQI-Total scores were significantly lower in SARS-CoV-2 than CG. Among the SARS-CoV-2 group, monocyte count and the number of SARS-CoV-2-symptoms were positively correlated with CAPE-Pos-Frequency/Stress scores. Besides SARS-CoV-2, cigarette use, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores significantly contributed to the presence of at least one CAPE-Pos “often” or “almost always”. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 fully mediated the relationship between the number of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and CAPE-Pos-Frequency. Conclusions: This study is the first to show a possible relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and PLEs among adolescents. Depression, anxiety, and cigarette use also contributed to PLEs. The number of SARS-Cov-2-symptoms and PLEs association was fully mediated by internalizing symptoms, but prospective studies will need to confirm this result. © 2021

Objective: We aimed to evaluate asthma control status, drug compliance and anxiety levels of children and their parents who were followed up with the diagnosis of asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and Methods: Sixty-seven children aged between 8-12 years diagnosed with asthma and their parents were prospectively recruited to the study. A questionnaire including demographic features such as age, gender, asthma medications and questions about COVID-19 prepared according to a 5-point Likert scale was conducted to the parents. Children completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for Children (STAI-C) scales, and childhood asthma control test(c-ACT). Parents also fulfilled STAI scales. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.5±1.2 years, the median follow-up period for asthma (C-ACT) was 36 (21-66) months, and 45 (67.2%) were male. Most of the children were using their asthma medication regularly. Children’s STAI-C state and trait anxiety scores showed a statistically significant positive correlation with parents’ STAI state and trait anxiety scores. The anxiety levels of parents who thought that they would get the disease and that there would be no effective treatment and vaccine against COVID-19 were found to be higher.Conclusion: During the pandemic period, regular asthma follow-up and drug compliance are very important controlling asthma symptoms in children. Considering the effects of the pandemic in children with asthma, psychosocial evaluations during outpatient controls may have positive effects on children’s mental health and disease control., Amaç: Çalışmamızda astımlı çocuklarda ve ailelerinde yeni tip coronavirüs hastalığı (COVID-19) döneminde astım kontrol durumları, ilaç uyumları ve kaygı düzeylerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya en az altı aydır astım tanısıyla izlenen 8-12 yaş arası 67 çocuk ve ebeveynleri dahil edilmiştir. Ebeveynlere yaş, cinsiyet, astım ilaçları gibi demografik özellikleri ve 5’li Likert ölçeğine göre hazırlanmış COVID-19 ile ilgili soruları içeren anket yapılmıştır. Ayrıca çocukluk çağı astım kontrol anketi (AKT) ve kaygı düzeyini değerlendirmek için çocuklara Çocuklar İçin Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri (Ç-DSKE), ebeveynlere de Erişkinler için Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri (DSKE) uygulanmıştır.Bulgular: Hastaların ortalama yaşı 9.5±1.2 yıl, astım takip süresi ortancası (çeyrekler arası aralık) 36 (21-66) aydı ve 45’i (%67.2) erkekti. Çocukların çoğu astım ilaçlarını düzenli kullanıyordu. Çocukların Ç-DSKE durumluk ve sürekli kaygı puanları, ebeveynlerin DSKE durumluk ve süreklik kaygı puanlarıyla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı pozitif yönde korelasyon gösteriyordu. Hastalığı geçireceğini, COVID-19’a karşı etkili tedavi ve aşı bulunamayacağını düşünen ebeveynlerin kaygı düzeyleri daha yüksek bulundu. Çocukların cinsiyeti, astım takip süreleri, astım kontrol durumları, düzenli takibe gelme ve astım ilacını düzenli kullanmasına göre gruplandırılarak karşılaştırıldığında yine çocuk Ç-DSKE ve ebeveynlerin DSKE skorları arasında fark yoktu.Sonuç: Pandemi döneminde düzenli kontrol ve ilaç uyumu çocuklarda astım semptomlarının kontrol altına alınmasında son derece önemlidir. Astımlı çocuklarda pandeminin etkileri de göz önünde bulundurularak poliklinik kontrolleri sırasında psikososyal değerlendirilmelerinin yapılması çocukların ruh sağlığı ve hastalık kontrolü üzerinde olumlu etkileri olabilir.

Background In this study we aimed to examine the Turkish validity and reliability of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale for Children (UPPS-P-C) and to investigate whether there is a relationship between the UPPS-P-C subscales and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Method The clinical sample of the study consisted of 50 children which are aged 10–14 with ADHD who applied to the Ankara City Hospital Child Psychiatry Clinic and did not receive treatment for at least 1 month. The community sample consisted of 525 children and adolescents. They were selected from the city of Sinop and their ages ranged from 10 to 14 years, all of whom were in middle school (5th to 8th grade). UPPS-P-C and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) – parent form were used in the study. Results Factor analysis showed that the five-factor model better explained the data. When the relationships between the subscales of the scale were examined, all relationships were found to be statistically significant. There was a lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance that had the highest ability to distinguish children with ADHD from the UPPS-P-C subscales. In the linear regression analysis, the model we tried to explain in the SDQ total and subscale scores with the UPPS-P-C subscale was found to be significant. The Cronbach α coefficient was found to be 0.894 for the UPPS-P-C scale. When the correlation between the total and subscales of the test and retest was examined, the Intra class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.782 and 0.771–0.897, respectively. Discussion Our findings show that the Turkish version of the UPPS-P-C has good validity and reliability and is successful in screening for features related to impulsivity. It has been shown that the UPPS-P-C scale can be used for symptom profiling and severity assessment rather than for solely diagnostic purposes.

Concerns about the psychiatric sequelae after COVID-19 infection have increased as the pandemic spreads worldwide. The increase in self-isolation during this pandemic period has also revealed the importance of feelings of loneliness. This study aimed to examine the relationship between baseline inflammation levels, internalizing symptoms, and feelings of loneliness in adolescent COVID-19 survivors in the long term.A total of 74 adolescents (41 girls, 55.4%, mean age 14.88) and their parents were included in the study. This cross-sectional study assessed internalizing symptoms via Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) and feelings of loneliness using the UCLA-loneliness scale. Baseline inflammatory markers at COVID-19 diagnosis were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors for depression in adolescents.The most common disorder was Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (25.7%), and 33.8% of the adolescents were in the clinical range in at least one internalizing domain. Baseline C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels correlated weakly with MDD scores. Loneliness scores correlated with all internalizing symptoms, strong association with MDD scores. Loneliness, anxiety, and parental anxiety were associated with an increased likelihood of MDD. Baseline CRP positivity did not predict MDD in adolescent COVID-19 survivors.This study indicates that anxiety, loneliness, and parental anxiety play an important role in adolescents' experience of depressive symptoms after COVID-19 infection. Thus, screening parental psychopathology and loneliness in COVID-19 survivors seems to be preventive for adolescent mental health problems.

Objectives:Substance Use Risk Profile scale (SURPS) measuring the personality traits associated with susceptibility to substance use is a valid and reliable questionnaire. In the validity and reliability study of the Turkish adaptation for SURPS, the factor structure was determined by the explanatory factor analysis but the theoretical suitability of this structure to the personality traits (anxiety sensitivity, lack of self-contentment, sensation seeking and impulsivity) could not be confirmed. In this study, it was aimed to test the theoretical suitability of the factor structure by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).Materials and Methods:The universe of our study was the sample consisting of 875 adolescents aged between 14 and 19 years with a mean age of 15.58 (±1.03) years for the Turkish validity and reliability study of the SURPS. The sample of our study was determined as 436 adolescents chosen from participants in the universe by stratified sampling method. IBM AMOS ver. 23.0 program was used in the verification of the factor structure of the 23-item 4-factor scale with CFA. In evaluating the fit of the model, chi-square/degree of freedom (chi-square/sd), Goodness of Fit index (GFI), Adjusted Goodness of test (AGFI) and root mean square of error approximation (RMSEA) goodness of fit indices were calculated.Results:Standardized factor loads obtained with CFA were found between 0.31 and 0.86. In order to further improve the fit of the model, the relationship between errors related to the items 7 and 23, and 3 and 12 suggested by the modification indexes was defined. The chi-square/sd, RMSEA, GFI and AGFI values from calculated goodness of fit indices were determined as 3.305, 0.058, 0.91 and 0.89, respectively.Conclusion:With our findings, it was observed that the model showed a good fit with the theory, and the construct validity of the 23-item 4-factor scale was supported.

INTRODUCTION[|]In this study, it is aimed to do a cross-sectional evaluation of treatment preferences in tic disorders in a clinical sample.[¤]METHODS[|]The hospital records of cases diagnosed with tic disorders who were admitted to our clinic between May 2013 and June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. SPSS 17.0 program was used to evaluate the data. The level of significance was accepted as p

INTRODUCTION[|]In addition to the relationship between substance use and personality, the personality traits such as hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking are known to be particularly predictive of later substance misuse. These personality traits can be used as markers to provide early prevention intervention against substance use disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship of the personality traits to substance use disorders (SUDs).[¤]METHODS[|]The sample for the first analysis consisted of 13-18-year-old outpatients with SUDs (n=30), outpatients with any psychiatric disorders other than SUDs (n=30), and community-based non-matched healthy controls (n=30). And then, the analysis for comparison among SUDs patient group and another healthy control group matched for age and sex (n=30) was repeated to minimize bias because of the gender heterogeneity in the groups. Substance abuse-related personality traits were measured with the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS). Also, Beck Hopelessness Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking were used as data collection tools. Using independent samples t-test or one-way ANOVA and Tukey posthoc tests among two or more groups, the relationship was evaluated.[¤]RESULTS[|]Results show that there is no clear relationship between substance use disorders, and substance abuse-related personality traits measured by SURPS, with significant limitations. [¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Our study is the first study assessing this relationship in a sample of Turkish adolescents. Further studies should be planned to determine whether the result of our study reflects objective reality or is affected by the limitations. [¤]

Background Symptomatic COVID-19 cases in children occur mostly in those with primary immunodeficiency (PID), chronic lung diseases, and heart disease. Guidelines recommend that patients with PID continue to use their regular medication during the pandemic. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate anxiety related to COVID-19 in the parents of patients receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in our hospital and to evaluate the effect of their anxiety on the continuity of treatment. Methods The parents of the patients who underwent IVIG therapy in our clinic during the pandemic (between May 15, 2020 and July 1, 2020) were included in our study. Results Twenty-seven patients with PID whose IVIG therapy was initiated before the pandemic and 29 non- PID control subjects were included in the study. All patients received IVIG treatment in our clinic continued treatment during the pandemic at the same dose intervals. Parents in the IVIG group had significantly higher state (p=0.003) and trait (p=0.003) anxiety scores compared to control parents. IVIG group showed statistically significant higher scores in Beck depression inventory, than the control group (p=0.002). Conclusions The parents of PID patients who needed to come to the hospital for IVIG therapy had higher anxiety levels than the parents of similar aged children who presented to our clinic for different complaints between the same dates. Despite their concerns, the parents of all patients under IVIG therapy maintained treatment continuity at the recommended treatment intervals. None of our immunodeficient patients who presented for treatment during the pandemic contracted COVID-19 infection during our study.

Background The study aims to investigate the social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in children with a specific learning disability (SLD) and to identify the factors that accompany these problems by screening with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Methods The descriptive study was conducted on 278 children with SLD. Strengths and difficulties in children were evaluated by the SDQ applied to their mothers. The percentage of cases above the cut-off limits of the SDQ was calculated. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. Results The mean (SD) total SDQ score was 15.8 (6.5). The percentage of scores of abnormal total difficulties in SLD was 47.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that cases exposed to antenatal smoking had higher odds ratio of abnormal emotional symptoms and abnormal total difficulties; cases with poor familial income and the presence of a history of antenatal smoking exposure showed considerably higher odds ratio of conduct problems; cases with younger age at the diagnosis of SLD, dyscalculia, extreme duration of preschool screen time (≥4 h), and history of hospitalization had significantly higher odds ratio for hyperactivity-inattention problems; and cases having shorter breastfeeding duration had higher odds ratio of peer problems compared to counterparts. Conclusion Children with SLD have a high score on the SDQ. Practitioners could especially give guidance and support to families with financial problems and those having a child with an early age at diagnosis, exposure to antenatal smoking, short breastfeeding period, early age of the first screen use, and long screen exposure duration during the preschool period.

The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) was developed as a self-report measure to screen four high-risk personality dimensions (hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking) that predict specific patterns of vulnerability to substance use and other problematic behavior. The scale has previously been shown to have adequate psychometric properties in various other languages. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the SURPS. A cross-sectional total sampling design was adopted in which 875 Turkish participants took part (mean age 15.58 years, SD = 1.03). Using exploratory factor and correlational analyses, the internal consistency, test–retest reliability, construct validity, and concurrent validity were evaluated. The SURPS demonstrated good psychometric and construct validity. The results provide clear evidence that the Turkish version of the SURPS is valid and reliable. The Turkish version of the SURPS may become an important tool for daily clinical practice and clinical research.

Objective:This study aimed to explore children of foreign nationalities admitting to the child psychiatry department of a training and research hospital, including their clinical features and interventions practiced.Method:Hospital records and chart fi les of foreign children who had applied to the Child Psychiatry Department of Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital between September 2016 and 2017, were retrospectively evaluated.Results:In total, the sample consisted of 283 foreign children with a median age of 7.9 years where 63.3% were male and more than half were Syrian (52.7%). Mean living duration in Turkey was 1.6 years. Child and adolescent psychiatry unit was their index application in the hospital for 34.6%; while 65.4% were refered from other medical branches in the hospital, most frequently child neurology (37.1%). Only 18.4% (n=25) of the sample were involved in any type of educational system while remainining 81.6% (n=231) were not attending school at the time of the study. Of all, 54.1% (n=153) of the cases met the criteria for any psychiatric diagnosis according to DSM- 5 classifi cation, with most frequent being mild intellectual dysfunction (29.7%, n=84). Evaluation with a request to obtain disability report was carried out in 62.5% (n=177) of the cases. Pharmacological treatment was either initiated or continued in 12% (n=34), with primarily recommended agents being antipsychotic drugs (4.9%, n=14).Discussion:Cases were mostly school-aged children and it was striking to determine that only one fi fth had been attending school at the time of the study. Approximately one in three index admissions to our hospital was to the child psychiatry department. Most of these applications were consulted by the child neurology department and main motive of application was to be evaluated for an eligibility to obtain disability reports from the health board of the institution.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the relation between psychiatric diagnoses and internet usage in a clinical sample of adolescents and determine the pattern of internet use. METHODS: Adolescents aged 13-17 years who admitted to a child-adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic for some emotional or behavioral problems were included. Psychopathologies were evaluated via clinicial interview and sociodemographic form and internet addiction scale were applied to be fulfilled. p

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and pediatricians play a critical role in early diagnosis. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of pediatric residents and pediatricians about ASD. A 35-item questionnaire consisting of two sections was administered. The diagnostic features section consisted of questions measuring the level of knowledge about diagnostic criteria of ASD. The general knowledge and beliefs section consisted of questions about beliefs and experiences regarding ASD. The study consisted of 101 participants. Mean score obtained by all participants from the diagnostic features section was 5.78 ± 1.65. The mean scores obtained by residents and pediatricians from the diagnostic features section were 5.35 ± 1.5 and 6.31 ± 1.68. Pediatricians obtained higher scores significantly than residents from diagnostic features section (t = -2.99, p = 0.004). The mean scores obtained by residents and pediatricians from section of general knowledge and beliefs were 13.69 ± 3 and 14.48 ± 3.15. This difference was not significant (t = -1.27, p = 0.225). This study suggests that participants' knowledge and awareness about ASD was insufficient and while pediatricians knew more about the diagnostic criteria, their awareness and approach regarding ASD were no different from pediatric residents in general practice.

Objective Specific learning disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder frequently seen in childhood with deficits in many areas of functioning. Although the etiology of SLD is known to be multifactorial, research findings are limited. In this study, we aimed to compare the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with SLD to healthy children to find out whether BDNF has a role in the pathophysiology of SLD. Method The study included 30 children between the ages of 7-12, diagnosed with SLD and 30 age and gender matched healthy controls. The groups were tested on the Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Interview Schedule for School-age Children-Now and Lifetime Form (K-SADS-PL), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-revised form (WISC-R), the Teacher Information Form (TIF) and the Specific Learning Difficulty Battery (SLDB). Results No difference the serum BDNF levels in children with SLD and the healthy controls. BDNF levels did not correlate with the WISC-R scores and reading rate in the SLD group. Conclusion An association was not determined between SLD and and serum BDNF levels. Our study was the first to investigate this relationship and provided preliminary data on this topic. There is a need for further studies with large patient groups of phenotypic homogeneity.

Information on psychological problems and affecting factors in children hospitalized with the suspicion or diagnosis of COVID-19 is limited. We aimed to screen the psychiatric symptoms of children hospitalized with COVID-19 in Ankara City Children`s Hospital and evaluate the caregivers` depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience levels during hospitalization.Among the children and adolescents hospitalized in Ankara City Children`s Hospital between 1 May 2020 and 31 May 2020 due to the diagnosis of COVID-19, those who agreed to participate in the study were included. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS- 21) scale, and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were used to determine the symptoms.The mean age of study group (n = 49) was 8.7 ± 5.0 years, 59.2% (n = 29) were girls. The mean children`s SDQ-externalizing problems scores were higher in the COVID-19 positive mothers group than the COVID-19 negative mothers` group. The SDQ-total score was positively and strongly correlated with the DASS total score, DASS-depression score, and DASS-anxiety score. BRS scale scores were negatively correlated with the SDQtotal, externalizing, and DASS-21scale scores.COVID-19 positivity in mothers could be associated with externalizing problems in children. The high resilience of caregivers of inpatients seems to be related to less psychopathology in children. During hospitalization, caregivers` psychological evaluation and psychosocial support may be important for preventive child mental health.

Amaç: Ergenlik dönemindeki intihar girişimi, tüm dünyada yaygın bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. İntihar davranışı için biyolojik, psikolojik ve sosyal olmak üzere pek çok risk faktörü bulunmaktadır. Ergen intiharlarında, intiharla ilişkili davranışlarla ebeveyne güvensiz bağlanmanın ilişkisi çeşitli çalışmalarda gösterilmiştir. Ülkemizde ergenlerde bağlanma ve intihar girişimi arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyen az sayıda araştırma bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, intihar davranışı olan ve olmayan ergenlerde anneye bağlanma ve intihar davranışıyla ilişkili diğer faktörlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem: İntihar girişimi nedeniyle bir eğitim araştırma hastanesine başvuran 49 ergen çalışma grubu olarak, intihar girişim öyküsü bulunmayan 47 sağlıklı ergen ise kontrol grubu olarak çalışmaya alındı. Tüm katılımcılara sosyodemografik veri formu, Çocuklar için Depresyon Ölçeği (ÇGÖ), Ebeveyn ve Arkadaşlara Bağlanma Envanteri- Kısa Formu (EABE-KF), İntihar Davranışı Ölçeği (İDÖ), Güçler ve Güçlükler Anketi-Ergen Formu (GGA) verildi ve Okul Çağı Çocukları için Duygulanım Bozuklukları ve Şizofreni Görüşme Çizelgesi- Şimdi ve Yaşam Boyu Şekli uygulandı. Bulgular: İntihar girişimi grubunda %81.6 oranında psikopatoloji saptandı. İntihar girişiminde bulunan grubun, GGA akran sorunları alt ölçeği dışındaki tüm alt ölçeklerinin (duygusal, davranışsal, hiperaktivite, dışavurum ve içeatım) puan ortalamaları, ÇDÖ puan ortalamaları, İDÖ toplam puan, İDÖ-1, İDÖ-2 ve İDÖ-4 puan ortalamaları sağlıklı kontrollerden istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksekken, EABÖ anne bağlanma ölçek ortancası anlamlı düzeyde daha düşüktü. İDÖ toplam, İDÖ-1 ve İDÖ-2 ve İDÖ-4 puanları ile ÇDÖ puanı ve GGA toplam puanı ve tüm alt ölçek puanları arasında pozitif korelasyon, EABÖ anne bağlanma alt ölçeği puanı ile ise negatif korelasyon saptandı. Lojistik regresyon analizinde, EABÖ anne bağlanma ölçek puanları İDÖ toplam ve İDÖ-4 puanlarını yordamakta idi.Tartışma: İntihar grubunda anneye bağlanma puanlarının düşük olması güvensiz bağlanmanın intihar davranışı için önemli bir risk faktörü olabileceği şeklindeki yazınla uyumludur. İntihar girişimi olan ergenlerde anneye bağlanma, intiharın ciddiyeti ve gelecekteki intihar niyetini yordamaktadır. Ebeveyn-ergen bağlanmasını iyileştirecek yaklaşımlar, intiharın önlenmesi açısından önemli rol oynayabilir. Bu alanda ileri çalışmalara gereksinim bulunmaktadır., Objective: Adolescent suicide attempt is a common public health problem all over the world. There are many biological, psychological and social risk factors for suicidal behavior. In adolescent suicides, the relationship between suicidal behaviors and insecure attachment to parents has been shown in various studies. In our country, there are few studies examining the relationship between attachment and suicide attempt in adolescents. In this study, we aimed to investigate other factors related to mother attachment and suicidal behavior in adolescents with and without suicidal behavior.Methods: Of 49 adolescents who admitted to a training and research hospital for suicide attempt were included in the study group and 47 healthy adolescents whose no history of suicide attempt were included. All participants were applied a sociodemographic data form, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Inventory of Parents and Peer Attachment-Short Form (IPPA-SF), Suicidal Behavior Scale (SBS), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Adolescent Form (SDQ-A) and Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime (K-SADS).Results: Psychopathology was found in 81.6% of the suicide attempts group. The mean scores of all the subscales (emotional, behavioral, hyperactivity, expression and introductory) of the group attempting suicide except the GGA peer problems subscale, the mean scores of CDI, the total score of SBS and SBS-1, SBS-2 and SBS-4 subscale scores were significantly higher and the median IPPA-SF scale was significantly lower than that of the healthy control group. There was a positive correlation between total score of SBS, SBS-1, SBS-2, SBS-4, CDI, SDQ total score and its all subscale scores whereas a negative correlation was found with IPPA-SF maternal attachment subscale score. In the logistic regression analysis, the IPPA-SF mother attachment scale scores was predicted by SBS total score and SBS-4 subscale score.Discussion: The low attachment scores to the mother in the suicide group are consistent with the literature that insecure attachment may be an important risk factor for suicidal behavior. In adolescents with suicide attempts, attachment to the mother predicts the seriousness of suicide and the intention of future suicide. Approaches to improve parent-adolescent attachment may play an important role in preventing suicide. Further studies are needed in this field.

Amac: Ergenler arasinda akran zorbaligi evrensel bir sorundur. Calismada klinik orneklemde ergenlerde akran zorbaliginin demografik degiskenler, siber zorbalik, siber magduriyet ve ofke ifade tarzlariyla iliskisinin incelenmesi amaclanmistir. Gerec ve Yontemler: Cocuk psikiyatri poliklinigine basvuran 61 ergen calismaya alindi. Sosyodemografik form, Surekli Ofke ve Ofke Tarz Olcegi, Akran Zorbaligi Belirleme Olcegi-Ergen Formu, Siber Zorbalik Olcegi ve Siber Magduriyet Olcekleri kullanildi. Ergenlerde psikopatoloji varligi DSM-5 olcutleri esas alinarak yapilan klinik degerlendirme ile belirlendi. Bulgular: Calismaya katilan 61 ergenin %57.4’u kizdi. Yas ortancasi 15 yildi (min=11, maks= 18 yil). Ergenlerin %27.9’u magdur, %45.9’u hem zorba hem magdur ve %4.9’u zorba olarak tanimlandi. Diger siniflandirmayla ergenlerin %78.7’sinin zorba/magdur dongusunde olduklari saptandi. En sik gorulen zorbalik turu; sozel zorbalik (%37.7), en sik gorulen magduriyet turu ise fiziksel magduriyetti (%60.7). Protez varligi magdur grubunda anlamli duzeyde yuksek bulundu (p=0.041). Zorbaligin orta ergenlikte anlamli duzeyde yuksek (p=0.026), zorbalarin akademik basarisinin daha kotu oldugu bulundu (p=0.008). Magdurlarin babalarinin anlamli olarak dusuk duzeyde egitim almis olduklari saptandi (p=0.036). Hem zorba hem magdur grupta; siber zorbalik, Surekli Ofke ve Ofke Tarz Olcegi ofke disa alt olcegi ve ofke ice alt olcegi puanlari, zorbaliga karismayan grubun puanlarina gore anlamli duzeyde yuksek bulundu (sirasiyla; z=- 3.167, p=0.003; z=-3.735, p=

Objective: There are studies showing that there is a significant relationship between ADHD and obesity. However the number of studies conducted on this topic is limited in our country. It is aimed to evaluate obesity frequency, distribution of psychiatric comorbidity and food addiction in children and adolescents with ADHD who applied to our outpatient clinic. Methods: Our sample size was planned to represent Ankara city and power analysis revealed that a sample of 369 individuals would be sufficient for the representation. Our sample consisted of 400 children aged between 8-16 years who applied to our clinic between June 15, 2016 and June 15, 2017 and diagnosed as ADHD. All cases were administered a semi-structured clinical assessment interview (K-SADS-PL) and a sociodemographic data form. Body mass index (BMI) of all subjects was calculated. The Conners Parent Rating Scale, The Conners Teacher Rating Scale and the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children (YFAS-C) were used. According to age and sex, weight percentiles between 85-94 percentiles was defined as overweight, ≥95 percentile was defined as obese. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis, p

To investigate the effect of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), antisocial behavior and anxiety/depression ratings of mothers, and child and adolescents' age, gender, ADHD subtype, and comorbidity on one-month drug treatment response to OROS methylphenidate in ADHD in a naturalistic setting.The analyses included 223 subjects (191 boys, 32 girls; age 6-15 years, mean: 9.4) treated with OROS methylphenidate (18-72 mg/day, mean: 31 mg/d; 0.4-1.4 mg/kg/d) for one-month. Treatment response was defined as larger than 25% or more decrease in pre-treatment the Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) or the Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) total scores and the Clinical Global Impression improvement with drug treatment 3 (minimally improved) or higher. Maternal ADHD, antisocial behavior and anxiety/depression ratings were obtained by the Adult Self Rating (ASR). Logistic regression analyses were computed in order to calculate the effects of gender; age; ADHD subtype; comorbid anxiety disorder, learning disorder, oppositional defiant/conduct disorder; maternal ASR Anxiety/Depression, ADHD and Antisocial scores.35.2% of subjects had statistically significant 25% or more decrease in pretreatment CPRS total scores and 38.6% of subjects had statistically significant 25% or more decrease in pretreatment CTRS total scores. The subjects with comorbid anxiety disorder had the poorest drug response. Maternal self-reported antisocial and anxiety/depressive symptomatology were statistically significantly associated with worse response to treatment in terms of CPRS (respectively, OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.75-0.92, p0.01; OR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.9-0.99, p0.05) and CTRS total scores (OR=0.9, 95% CI: 0.82-0.99, OR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-1, p0.05). Baseline rating scores were also important predictors of drug treatment response. Effects of age, gender and maternal ADHD were not statistically significant.ADHD children and adolescents with comorbid anxiety disorders and those whose mothers have more self-reports of antisocial and depressive symptoms showed less favorable short-term response to OROS-MPH. These subjects may require further attention and additional interventions to augment treatment with OROS methylphenidate.

Background The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with Down syndrome (DS) and the factors related to it. Methods Seventy-five DS child-mother diads and 54 healthy child-mother diads were included in this study. The brief World Health Organization Quality of Life scale - Turkish version (WHOQOL-BREF-TR), Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-TR), Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were completed by mothers to assess maternal QoL, burnout, anxiety, depression and general psychiatric symptoms. Results Mothers of DS children had significantly higher SCL-90 general symptom index scores, Beck depressive symptom scores and higher scores in all domains of the brief World Health Organization Quality of Life scale - (WHOQOL-BREF-TR) except the WHOQOL-BREF-TR-psychological health domain. MBI personal achievement scores were weakly correlated with psychological health in mothers of DS children. There was a reverse correlation between comorbid disorders and the WHOQOL-BREF-TR psychological health domain, and a weak correlation between sex (having a baby girl with DS) and increased WHOQOL-BREF-TR physical health domain score. Number of offspring was negatively correlated with maternal social quality of life. Conclusion Mothers of children with DS are negatively affected in terms of QoL and mental health, even in the early period. It would be useful to systematically screen these mothers and to refer them for appropriate intervention at an early stage.

Objective Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in adolescence, however, the etiology has not been described. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one potential factor that may be involved in the etiology of ADHD. The goal of this study was to evaluate NPY levels in children with ADHD and compare the findings to healthy controls. Methods Forty-eight ADHD patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. The age range of ADHD patients was 6 to 16 years. All patients were diagnosed according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Results The NPY levels of children with ADHD were compared to healthy controls but were not significantly different (t (86)= -0.887, p= 0.378). NPY levels were similar (F= 0.191, p= 0.826) between ADHD presentations, and included 8 children with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (14.3%), 14 children with predominantly inattentive type (30.4%), and 26 children with a combined type (55.4%). There was also no difference between ADHD patients using medical treatment, ADHD patients not using medical treatment, and control subjects in terms of NPY levels (F= 0.572, p= 0.566). There was a significant positive correlation between age and NPY levels in the ADHD group (r= 0.349, p= 0.015). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the NPY levels of ADHD subjects were not different than those of controls. Future studies with homogeneous phenotypes and a larger sample population are needed.

Objective: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease affecting both the child and the family system. The mental state of the family can be affected with the burden brought on by the disease, and family functioning can become problematic. Coping abilities and strategies are important in determining the psychological adjustment in difficult situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate psychiatric symptoms, parental attitudes and coping strategies in mothers of children with CF and to examine the relationship of psychiatric symptoms with parental attitudes and coping skills. Material and Methods: The study included the mothers of 35 children with CF and of 40 children with acute medical problems and no chronic diseases. The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the COPE inventory, the Parent Attitude Research Instrument and the sociodemographic information form were used in the evaluation of the subjects. Results: All scores on the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised were higher than the control group in mothers of children with CF. Additionally; these mothers had higher scores on dependency and strictness/authoritarianism on the Parent Attitude Research Instrument. In the COPE inventory; focus on and venting of emotions, denial, religious coping and acceptance subscale scores were higher, whereas humor, use of instrumental social support and planning subscale scores were lower in mothers of children with CF. When mothers of children with CF were categorized according to the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised Global Severity Index with a cut-off score of “1”; mothers with scores higher than 1 suggesting psychopathology had higher scores for rejection of the homemaking role and marital conflict and coping strategies such as mental disengagement, denial, use of emotional social support, and ways of maladaptive composites. Conclusion: Coping abilities, marital relationship and mental health are negatively affected in mothers of children with CF. There is a need for further studies and developing programs that will improve the coping skills and provide psychosocial support for mothers of children with CF in our country.

Objective: We aimed to study characteristics of child and mother reported parenting styles of children with Attention Deficit Hyperacitivity Disorder (ADHD) and association of parenting styles of mothers with demographic and clinical variables like ADHD symptoms, sex, age, ADHD subtype, and comorbidity. Method: 58 children with ADHD and 30 healthy children were included in this study. All children were assessed by The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged ChildrenPresent and Lifetime Version. ADHD symptom severity was assessed by The Conners Parent Rating Scale and The Conners Teacher Rating Scale. The Parenting Style Inventory (PSI) and The Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) were used to assess parenting styles of mothers. Results: ADHD group had lower scores on two subscales of PSI (acceptance/involvement and strictness/supervision) and democratic attitude and equality subscale of PARI and higher scores on strict discipline subscale of PARI compared to control group. In ADHD group, higher symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder were associated with higher mother's strict discipline scores and lower child reported mother's acceptance/involvement scores. Conclusion: Our findings supported the idea that there may be an association between parenting attitudes and ADHD symptoms in families having a child with ADHD. These results indicated the importance of integrated approach to ADHD diagnosis and treatment and evaluating the child with ADHD in the context of family environment.

Several studies have shown that iron deficiency and ferritin levels are associated with parent and teacher Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ratings. Although there are conflicting results, it has also been reported that iron supplementation may help to decrease ADHD symptoms. When all these previous studies are taken into account, it is clear that a large study investigating the effects of iron deficiency and ferritin levels on routine pharmacological treatment of ADHD with stimulants would be helpful to elucidate this treatment from a clinical point of view.A total of 345 subjects with combined or predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (PHI) subtypes of ADHD were included. All diagnoses were based on the DSM-IV criteria and ascertained by direct interviews conducted by the authors, who are experienced child psychiatrists certified in the use of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) semi-structured interview. The two treatment response criteria were: 1) 25% or more decrease in pre-treatment Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) Hyperactivity (HA) and Total Problems scores; 2) CPRS and CTRS HA scores lower than the cut-off point ("very improved").A total of 255 (73.9%) patients were on OROS-methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) and 90 (26.1%) were on immediate release methylphenidate (IR-MPH). The mean±sd of OROS-MPH and IR-MPH doses were 28.8±8.1 and 20.9±7.1 mg, respectively. More than half (52.5%) of the subjects were previously drug-naive at treatment inception. Two hundred and seventy eight (80.6%) subjects had combined subtype ADHD and the remainder had predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype. Only 60 (17.4%) of the subjects had no comorbid disorders, while 38.3% had one comorbid disorder, 32.8% had two comorbid disorders, and 11.6% had three or more comorbid disorders. The most frequent comorbidity was Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder (ODD/CD, 51.6%), followed by Learning Disabilities (LD, 35.4%) and Anxiety Disorders (AD, 15.9%). Logistic regression analysis showed that subjects with comorbid ODD/CD and LD were less likely to respond to treatment. Ferritin levels and iron deficiency were not associated significantly with outcomes.In a large sample of subjects with combined or predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtypes of ADHD, after controlling for several factors, we found that neither iron deficiency (ferritin12 ng/ml) nor ferritin levels were associated with less favorable short-term treatment outcomes with stimulants. Subjects with comorbid ODD/CD and LD were less likely to have a 25% or more decrease in CTRS Total score. The presence of ODD/CD was also a negative predictor of treatment response in terms of CPRS Total and HA scores. The lack of a negative treatment response in ADHD subjects with iron deficiency and lack of a negative association with ferritin levels suggest that the relationship between iron metabolism and ADHD, a highly heterogeneous disorder, may be more complicated than previously believed.

Background To investigate the prevalence of internet addiction and relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and internet addiction in adolescents. Methods This was a cross-sectional school-based study with a representative sample of 468 students aged 12-17 years at the first trimester of education year in 2013. The students were assessed through the Young's Internet Addiction Scale, Children's Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Conners Parent Rating Scale, Conners Teacher Rating Scale, Hollingshead-Redlich Scale, and the information form including characteristics of internet use, socio-economical status. Relationship between these factors and internet use was examined. Results About 1.6% were determined as addictive, whereas 16.2% were possible addictive. There were significant correlations between Internet Addiction and depression, anxiety, attention disorder and hyperactivity symptoms in adolescents. Smoking cigarette was also related with internet addiction. There was no significant relationship between IA and the students’ age, sex, body-mass index, school type, socio-economic status. Conclusion The results indicate an association of depression, anxiety, ADHD and smoking addiction with PIU in adolescent students and suggest the importance of addressing preventive public health policies that target psychological wellbeing of youngs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence. There are currently three subtypes of ADHD: combined, inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive, as defined by the DSM-IV-TR criteria1. The exact pathophysiology of ADHD symptoms remains unclear, although several converging lines of investigation suggest that both genetic and environmental factors, and their interactions, are important. An emerging interest of research in recent years has been the investigation of a possible association of iron metabolism as a risk factor for ADHD. To date, although a number of studies have shown that children with ADHD have lower mean ferritin levels when compared with normal controls, and that low serum ferritin levels are related with more severe ADHD ratings, as reported by teachers and/or parents 1–5, other studies have also reported negative findings6–7 . Understandably, a number of studies have also focused on the utility of iron supplementation in ADHD; these studies have yielded conflicting results8–9. It has also been shown that iron deficiency during infancy might lead to learning and memory problems, which might also have enduring effects in grade-school period10. In a relatively small sample, we previously reported that there were no significant correlations between ferritin level and performance in vigilance and sustained attention tasks, executive function tests like planning and organization, complex problem solving, set shifting, and response monitoring3. In another distinct sample, we also showed that presence of comorbid conditions might also increase the effect of lower iron stores on behavioral measures11. However, the sample size of this latter study did not allow us to control for the effects of ADHD subtype as well as different comorbid conditions on parent and teacher ratings. In this study, our aim was to investigate the relationship between age, gender, ferritin level, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), reticulosite distribution width (RDW) with parent and teacher reports and cognitive measures in a large sample of children and adolescents with ADHD. The control of ADHD subtype and specific comorbid condition categories is important since it has been shown that both are associated with symptom ratings12–13. We therefore also controlled for confounders including ADHD subtype (combined, inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive), presence of comorbid conditions (grouped into four: anxiety disorders, oppositional defiant/conduct disorder, learning disabilities and other conditions including tic disorders, elimination disorders, and mood disorders). We selected the hematological variables since iron deficiency is usually defined by low serum ferritin levels, or low MCV and high RDW values. We also selected Digit Span, Digit Symbol and Trail Making Test Part A as attentional indices. Based on our prior findings, we predicted that after controlling for the above mentioned variables, parent and teacher reported hyperactivity ratings would be negatively associated with ferritin level. We also predicted that ferritin level would not be significantly associated with attention problems ratings and cognitive measures.

Consecutively referred subjects (N = 537) to an outpatient clinic were evaluated to compare the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Combined (ADHD-C) and predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI) subtypes using parent and teacher ratings and neuropsychological variables. Statistical significance was at P < 0.002 adjusted for multiple comparisons. ADHD-PI subjects were older, more likely to be female, higher socioeconomic status, had lower Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher Report Form Aggression, Delinquency and Social Problems scores, and higher Withdrawal and Competence scores, compared to ADHD-C subjects. Comorbid conduct problems were more common among ADHD-C subjects. There were no differences in terms of anxiety/depression, and neuropsychological measures. The study is unique in that it provides data on a broad range of measures from a middle income developing country with important confirmation of similar pattern of differences and similarities between ADHD-C and ADHD-PI subtypes previously reported in North American and Western European samples.

PubMed: 30102477, The aim of this study was to investigate psychiatric disorders, depression and anxiety levels, and quality of life in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), and to compare them with those of children with non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis and healthy controls. A total of 103 children and adolescents aged 7-16 years (35 CF, 28 non-CF bronchiectasis, 40 healthy) were evaluated using The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children (K-SADS), The Child Depression Inventory (CDI), The State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for Children (STAI-C) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)-C. The three groups were not statistically different with respect to age, sex, and familial sociodemographic variables. 80% of the children and adolescents in the CF group were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, which was significantly more compared to those of the two other groups. The CF group had significantly greater rates of depressive and oppositional defiant disorder and the non-bronchiectasis group had a significantly greater rate of anxiety disorder than the control group. The depression and anxiety symptom levels were significantly greater and the quality of life levels significantly lower in both the CF and non-CF bronchiectasis groups than the healthy controls. In the CF group, the presence of any associated psychiatric disorder led to significantly lower total and psychosocial quality of life scores. In conclusion, CF is associated with poorer QOL in childhood. In order to improve quality of life in CF, the psychiatric conditions of children and adolescents should also be evaluated and their follow-up and treatment should involve a multidisciplinary team approach. © 2018, Turkish Journal of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate karyotype abnormalities, MECP2 mutations, and Fragile X in a clinical population of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using The Clinical Report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Methods: Ninety-six children with ASD were evaluated for genetic testing and factors associated with this testing. Results: Abnormalities were found on karyotype in 9.7% and in DNA for fragile X in 1.4%. Karyotype abnormalities include inv(9)(p12q13); inv(9)(p11q13); inv(Y)(p11q11); Robertsonian translo-cation (13;14)(8q10q10) and (13,14)(q10q10); 9qh+; Yqh+; 15ps+; deletion 13(p11.2). Conclusion: Genetic testing should be offered to all families of a child with an ASD, even not all of them would follow this recommendation. Although karyotype and FRAXA assessment will yield almost 10% positive results, a detailed history and physical examination are still the most important aspect of the etiological evaluation for children with ASD. Also, it is important to have geneticists to help in interpreting the information obtained from genetic testing.

The aim of this study was to examine clinical outcomes, psychiatric comorbidity and neuropsychological characteristics in Turkish adolescents with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in childhood. A total of 45 children with ADHD diagnosis and 28 children with a psychiatric diagnosis other than ADHD in a 1-year cohort of 7-10-year-olds were reevaluated 6 years later using Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime version and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and Stroop Test TBAG version. This study shows that the clinical outcomes and the comorbidity patterns for ADHD from childhood to adolescence in Turkey are similar to reported rates in the Western countries. In the ADHD group, 75.6 % still has impairing ADHD symptoms and 46.6 % has comorbid psychiatric disorders. The main difference is anxiety disorders being the most common comorbid disorders (37.8 %) in Turkish ADHD youth. These findings stress the high comorbidity associated with ADHD and support the importance of assessment and treatment for ADHD and comorbidities during adolescence.

Reliability and validity of the turkish version of the social communication scale.The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Social Communication Scale (SCQ).Throughout 2010-2011, we evaluated children who were between 18-60 months of age in the outpatient clinic who were diagnosed as having autism (n=49) or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (n=18) according to the DMS-IV criteria. The control group consisted of 51children with developmental delay (25 mental retardation, 26 speech delay) and 71 children with typical development in the same age group. We used a one way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey HSD test to compare the SCQ scores of the groups. For the reliability and validity analysis the Cronbach alpha, item-total score correlations and test-retest correlations were used. Principal components analysis and varimax rotation were used to find the factor solutions. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves were utilised to detect cut-off scores, sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values.The analysis yielded 3 factors named Language, Reciprocal Social Interaction and Stereotypic Behaviors/Restricted Areas of Interest. The Cronbach alpha value of the total score was 0.88. The test-retest correlation was high (r=0.90, p0.01). The SCQ Total, Language, Reciprocal Social Interaction and Stereotypic Behaviors/Restricted Areas of Interest scores were significantly different among the groups. The SCQ Total, Reciprocal Social Interaction and Stereotypic Behaviors/Restricted Areas of Interest scores were highest in the autism spectrum disorders group. The SCQ Language and Stereotypic Behaviors/Restricted Areas of Interest scores were not significantly different between the developmental delay and the typical development groups. ROC analysis indicated that the SCQ Total and Reciprocal Social Interaction scores differentiated very well between the autism spectrum and control group (area under the curve 0.89 and 0.91) while the Stereotypic Behaviors/Restricted Areas of Interest score differentiated less (0.72). Using a cut-off score of 14.5 for the SCQ Total score, sensivity was 0.84, specificity was 0.81, positive predictive value was 0.82 and negative predictive value was 0.83. Using a cut-off score of 7.5 for the SCQ Reciprocal Social Interaction score, sensivity, specifity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.91, 0.82, 0.83, 0.90, respectively.The results indicated that in children younger than 60 months of age the SCQ Total score can differentiate subjects with autism spectrum disorders from children with developmental delay and typically developing controls; however, the Reciprocal Social Interactions score was more sensitive and specific. On the other hand, the negative and positive predictive values indicated that there was a fair percentage of false negatives and positives. Our results showed that, particularly in younger children, the Reciprocal Social Interaction items were more specific and were more helpful for differentiation of the children with autism spectrum disorders. The availability of the SCQ as a shorter and more practical form of the Autism Diagnostic Interview, revised in Turkish, is important as both a research and clinical tool.