Behavioral problems in children with Down syndrome.

Forty consecutive children with Down syndrome were included as the Study Group (SG). The Control Group (CG) consisted of forty children attending the immunization clinic in pediatric OPD. Behavior Screening Questionnaire (BSQ) was used to screen the study groups as well as their siblings and control group for behavioral problems. The assessment of parental attitudes was done on Attitude Screening Questionnaire which includes 2 separate questionnaire for mother and father. Twenty two children (55%) with Down's syndrome showed behavioral problems as compared to 5 (12.5%) in control group. Children with Down's syndrome showed behavioral problems related to all the spheres (feeding, socialization, toilet training and sleep) as compared to control group. Mothers showed highly indulgent attitude as related to feeding to nearly total neglect as related to socialization and toilet training whereas in Paternal Attitude Screening Questionnaire, there was total neglect in all the spheres as compared to control group. There is higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children with Down's syndrome and their siblings.