1. Bacherini A, Igliozzi R, Cagiano R, Mancini A, Tancredi R, Muratori F, Balboni G. Behavioral and emotional problems of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: Effects of parents’ sociocultural level and individual factors. Research in developmental disabilities. 2021; 119: 104106.

BACKGROUND: Toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show higher prevalence and severity of Behavioral and Emotional Problems (BEP) than their peers without ASD. AIMS: Investigating the effects of parental factors, i.e., mothers’ and fathers’ age and Sociocultural Level (Socioeconomic Status, Cultural Capital, and Social Capital), and individual factors, i.e., toddles’ age, birth order, general development, autism symptom severity, and adaptive behavior, on the expression of BEP in toddlers with ASD. METHODS: Participants were 148 toddlers with ASD (aged 18-37 months) and both their parents. BEP were measured with the Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 (CBCL) Syndrome and Pervasive developmental problems (PDD) DSM-oriented scales, general development with the Griffiths Mental Development Scales (GMDS), autism symptom severity with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), and adaptive behavior with the Vineland-II Adaptive behavior composite. RESULTS: Vineland-IIAdaptive behavior composite was negatively associated with the majority of the CBCL scales. In contrast, the ADOS-2 Restrictive and repetitive behavior was negatively and the ADOS-2 Social affect, toddlers’ age, and birth order were positively associated with only a few of the CBCL scales (e.g., PDD). GMDS scores were not associated with any CBCL scales. Mothers’ age and fathers’ Cultural Capital and Social Capital dimensions were negatively associated with specific CBCL scales, even when considered in addition to individuals’ factors. CONCLUSIONS: Individual and parental factors simultaneously affect the expression of BEP and should be considered for clinical decisions.

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2. Kollárovics N, Nagy P, Balázs J. [Possible association between methylphenidate treatment in a child with autism spectrum disorder and subsequent gynecomastia]. Orvosi hetilap. 2021; 162(42): 1703-8.

Összefoglaló. Bár a figyelemhiányos hiperaktivitási zavar kezelése során alkalmazott metilfenidát-monoterápiával összefüggésben jelentkező gynaecomastiáról bizonyos nemkívánatos hatások adatbázisai beszámolnak, a szakirodalom áttekintése alapján ez idáig mindössze 5 esettanulmányt publikáltak a témában. Tanulmányunkban egy autizmusspektrum-zavarral és figyelemhiányos hiperaktivitási zavarral egyaránt diagnosztizált gyermek esetét mutatjuk be, akinél 6 hónapon át tartó, folyamatos metilfenidát-monoterápiájával összefüggésben kétoldali gynaecomastia kialakulását tapasztaltuk. A kezelés azonnali leállítása mellett 10 napos klomifénkezelés történt. A metilfenidát-terápia azonnali leállítását követően 14 nappal a gynaecomastia mindkét oldalon visszahúzódott. 3 hónapos, gyermekpszichiátriai szempontból gyógyszermentes időszakot követően a metilfenidát-terápia újraindítása történt, de 1 hónap elteltével a nem kívánt mellékhatás ismét jelentkezett. A metilfenidát-terápia és a gynaecomastia kialakulása közötti kapcsolat számos mechanizmussal kapcsolatban kérdéseket vet fel. Gyermekpszichiátriai szempontból érdekes kérdés, hogy releváns lehet-e a gyógyszeres terápia következményeként kialakuló nemkívánatos mellékhatás megjelenésében az autizmusspektrum-zavar és a figyelemhiányos hiperaktivitási zavar komorbid fennállása. A jelenség hátterében felmerül továbbá a neuroendokrin-immunológiai rendszer szabályozásának esetleges megváltozása. Esettanulmányunk felhívja a gyakorló orvoskollégák figyelmét a metilfenidát-terápia alkalmazása mellett potenciálisan kialakuló gynaecomastia monitorozására. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(42): 1703-1708. Summary. Although gynecomastia associated with methylphenidate monotherapy in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has already been reported in some adverse event databases, based on a review of the literature it appears that only five case reports have been published. In our study, we present the case of a child diagnosed with both autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, who developed bilateral gynecomastia in association with continuous methylphenidate monotherapy for 6 months. With immediate cessation of methylphenidate therapy, clomiphene treatment was given for 10 days. A total of 14 days after cessation of methylphenidate treatment gynecomastia receded on both sides. After a methylphenidate drug-free period of 3 months, methylphenidate therapy was restarted, but 1 month later the side effect reappeared. The relationship between methylphenidate and the development of gynecomastia raises questions about a number of mechanisms. From a child psychiatrist point of view, it is an interesting question whether the presence of comorbid autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder may be relevant in the onset of adverse events by medication. The phenomenon may also be caused by altered regulation of the neuroendocrine-immune system. Our case report draws the attention of practicing physicians to monitoring of potential gynecomastia during methylphenidate therapy. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(42): 1703-1708.

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3. Rybczynski S, Ryan TC, Wilcox HC, Van Eck K, Cwik M, Vasa RA, Findling RL, Slifer K, Kleiner D, Lipkin PH. Suicide Risk Screening in Pediatric Outpatient Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Clinics. Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP. 2022; 43(4): 181-7.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of universal suicide risk screening in pediatric neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) medical clinics, analyze demographic and clinical characteristics of eligible patients, describe outcomes of positive screenings, and describe factors that influenced participation in screenings. METHODS: A suicide risk screening protocol was developed and implemented for medical clinic patients aged 8 to 18 years. Registered nurses screened patients using the « Ask Suicide-Screening Questions » tool during triage. Positive screenings were referred for further assessment and mental health management. Demographics and clinical data were extracted from medical records using retrospective chart reviews. RESULTS: During the 6-month study period, 2961 individual patients presented for 5260 screening eligible patient visits. In total, 3854 (73.3%) screenings were completed with 261 (6.8%) positive screenings noted. Screenings were declined in 1406 (26.7%) visits. Parents of children with cognitive impairments were more likely to decline screening. Clinics serving children with autism spectrum disorder had higher rates of positive screenings compared with all other clinic attendees. Seventy-two of 187 children (38.5%) with positive screenings were identified and referred to outpatient mental health referrals. Seven (2.5%) of these children required acute psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSION: Routine screening, identification of increased suicide risk, and referral to mental health care among children with NDD are feasible. It remains unclear whether variation in rates among youth with and without NDD may indicate true differences in suicide risk or cognitive impairments or reflect psychiatric comorbidities. High rates of declined participation may have influenced identification of children with NDD and suicide risk. Preliminary findings identified groups of children with NDD at heightened risk for suicidal ideation and behavior. Further research is needed to assess the validity of suicide risk screening tools in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

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4. Salvatore GL, Simmons CA, Tremoulet PD. Physician Perspectives on Severe Behavior and Restraint Use in a Hospital Setting for Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2021: 1-14.

Hospitals, with many features that can evoke severe behavior in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often use restraint as a behavior management strategy. Prior research on restraint in patients with ASD has primarily focused on children or specific departments. Twenty-five physicians and medical trainees from an urban teaching hospital participated in discussions about experiences managing severe behavior in patients with ASD across the lifespan. Twenty themes emerged from thematic analysis of participant transcripts. The five most salient themes included: lack of procedural knowledge with restraint implemented by other hospital professionals; alternative strategies to manage severe behavior; negative perceptions of restraint; helpful role of caregivers; and limited experience treating patients with ASD, and critical need for training in function-based management.

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