Social adjustment of children with a severe craniofacial anomaly (Apert syndrome)

Objective Children with a severe craniofacial anomaly are at risk for emotional and behavioural problems. Do children with Apert syndrome present with a special psychological profile? Method Parent reports (Child Behaviour Checklist) were obtained from 25 children with Apert syndrome. Results Fourteen children were characterized by clinically significant social problems, 10 by attentional problems, nine by social withdrawal. Total CBCL-scores were in the clinical range for eight children. Conclusion Information on psychosocial state should be included in regular check-ups of children with a severe craniofacial anomaly in order to identify children who are in need of psychological interventions.