Behavioral characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome in Korea: comparison with children with mental retardation and normal controls

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychiatric characteristics of children with Prader-Willi syndrome in Korea, focusing particularly on their behavioral problems and obsessive-compulsive spectrum symptoms. Fourteen patients with Prader-Willi syndrome, together with their parents, underwent a psychiatric interview and parent questionnaire consisting of a Child Behavior Checklist. Twenty-four patients with mental retardation and 45 normal students were selected as control groups. Compared with the normal control group, the rates of inclusion in the clinical range and the mean scores with regard to social problems, thought problems, attention problems, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems, and total problems profiles were significantly higher (P < .01) in the Prader-Willi syndrome group according to the results of the Child Behavior Checklist. Compared with the mental retardation group, there was a statistically significant (P < .05) difference in the delinquent behavior profile. Comparing selected Child Behavior Checklist items related to obsessive-compulsive spectrum symptoms, the Prader-Willi syndrome group showed significantly more (P < .05) compulsion, skin picking, and stealing than the mental retardation or normal control groups. These findings suggest that children with Prader-Willi syndrome in Korea have many behavioral problems, including obsessive-compulsive spectrum symptoms, needing proper psychiatric attention and treatment. This is the first study in Korea to evaluate the psychiatric and behavioral characteristics of children with Prader-Willi syndrome.