Comorbidities Among Mental Disorders in Preschool Children in the Mercy Pregnancy Emotional Wellbeing Study

Abstract

Background: Comorbidities among mental disorders can have long-term impacts on children’s development and mental health. There is little robust data about the prevalence of comorbidities in preschool-aged children. The aim was to identify the prevalence of comorbidities among mental disorders in a cohort of 3–4-year-old children in Australia. Methods: Women were recruited to the Australian Mercy Pregnancy Emotional Wellbeing Study at <20 weeks’ gestation. Mental disorders were assessed among their children at 3- to 4-years old using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA). Prevalence of comorbidities is reported. Results: Almost half (48%) of the children (n = 545) met criteria for mental disorders captured by the PAPA; 43% had anxiety disorders. Of children with at least one diagnosis, 44% had another mental disorder; this represents 21% of the whole sample. Depressive disorders occurred only alongside other disorders, both anxiety disorders and externalising disorders. At least one anxiety disorder was present in more than half of children with specific externalising disorders. Conclusions: Comorbidity of mental disorders among preschool-aged children is relatively common. Preschool children presenting with mental health symptoms may benefit from assessment protocols which consider multiple mental health disorders, and integrated services to address these.