Affective Disorders in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents With Mental Retardation: a Retrospective Study

A sample of 50 psychiatric inpatient children & adolescents with affective disorders & mental retardation were compared to 50 inpatients with mental retardation without depression. Behavioural symptoms such as suicidal ideation or gestures occurred significantly more often in the affective group than in the comparison group (42% vs. 14%). Aggression was the most frequent behaviour concern for both groups. Disruption/destruction was identified significantly more often in the comparison group.