Background The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) forms are among the most studied instruments for assessing behavioral, emotional, social, and thought problems in children and adolescents worldwide. Although ASEBA instruments have been translated into Arabic, fewer studies have investigated their psychometric properties and norms in Arabic speaking societies than in other societies. Methods Revisions were made to the Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) translations of the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6–18 (CBCL/6–18), the Teacher’s Report Form (TRF), and the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Parents of 6–18-year-olds who came to the general pediatric clinic in Tanta University Hospital during a 2-year period for routine check-ups were invited to fill out the CBCL/6–18 ( N = 595), while 11–18-year-olds were invited to fill out the YSR ( N = 409). TRFs were filled out by teachers ( N = 329). Results Confirmatory factor analyses supported the previously reported eight-factor syndrome structure of the forms with good psychometric properties and moderate cross-informant correlations. The mean CBCL/6–18 and YSR Total Problem scores qualified for the previously established ASEBA Multicultural Norm Group 2, while the mean TRF Total Problem score qualified for group 3. Conclusions The good psychometric properties and the identification of Multicultural Norm Groups for scores obtained with the Arabic translations of ASEBA forms in Egyptian society support use of the ASEBA for assessment and outcome evaluations of behavioral, emotional, social, and thought problems among Egyptian youth.

Background Conduct disorder (CD) is a serious and common psychiatric disorder affecting children and adolescents. “Callous-unemotional traits” is a new specifier added to the diagnosis of CD in the DSM-5. The new specifier is thought to be associated with more severity and higher genetic load. Oxytocin is known to be related to interpersonal sympathy and social affection, and so its deficiency might be related to unemotionality. This work aims to explore the levels of serum oxytocin in adolescents with CD associated with callous-unemotional (CU) traits as compared to healthy control subjects. Twenty patients aged 12–18 years and 20 controls of the same age range were recruited. An Arabic-translated and validated version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for kids (MINI-kid) was used to confirm the diagnosis. The Youth Psychopathic Inventory-short version (YPI-short version) and the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), both parent and self-reports, were all translated into Arabic and validated by the authors and used to evaluate the sample. Evaluation of serum oxytocin level using ELISA technique was done. Results After statistical adjustment for differences in socioeconomic status, an adolescent with CD associated with CU traits showed low levels of serum oxytocin level as compared with the control group. Serum oxytocin levels were negatively correlated in a statistically significant degree with the unemotional, the callousness, and the uncaring subscores of ICU—self-report. Conclusions Low levels of serum oxytocin might play a potential role as a biomarker for CU traits and CD severity in adolescents with CD.

BACKGROUND Suicide mortality is 12 times higher in psychotic patients compared to the general population. Identifying characteristic of suicidal patients among this group might help in preventing such behavior. AIMS To assess the predictors of suicidal risk in patients hospitalized due to acute psychosis. METHODS One hundred and fifty patients (age 18 - 60 years) admitted with acute psychotic features were recruited. Patients were evaluated clinically by The Arabic version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI). RESULTS Forty four out of 150 patients (29.33%) reported having current and/or previous history of suicidal ideation. Patients with major depression showed the highest suicidal tendencies followed by delusional disorder then bipolar disorder, psychosis related to substance abuse and schizophrenia. The more severe the psychotic symptoms, the more suicidal tendencies shown by patients. Predictors for suicidal ideations included diagnostic category, severity of psychotic features, unemployement and younger age CONCLUSION: Patients with psychosis that require admission to the hospital carry a high risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. Factors like unemployment, young age and psychiatric diagnosis and severity of psychosis could be predicting factors.

ObjectiveOcular trauma is a serious problem in children and adolescents that can be troubling for them and their families. Psychosocial risk factors for eye trauma are understudied, especially in Arab and Egyptian populations. The current study aimed to evaluate the probable role of child psychopathology and parenting discipline styles in the predisposition for eye trauma in Egyptian children and adolescents. MethodsForty patients aged 3–18 years with accidental eye trauma and 40 controls of the same age range were recruited. A validated Arabic version of the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) and an Arabic translated and validated version of the conflict tactic scale-parent child version were applied to evaluate the sample. ResultsAfter statistical adjustment for differences in socioeconomic status, youth with eye trauma showed higher rates of rule breaking behavior and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as compared with the control group. Families of children with eye trauma reported a tendency to use less nonviolent discipline and more current and lifetime physical punishment as compared with the control group. ConclusionsChildhood behavioral disorders, such as ADHD, and parental tendency to use physical punishment as a pattern of discipline might predispose to serious accidental injuries, including eye trauma. Proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for ADHD, together with community program that enhances nonviolent discipline techniques, will help in both primary and secondary prevention of ocular trauma.

ObjectivesEarly-onset physical morbidity is likely to affect the emotional balance and behavioral adaptation of children and adolescents. Few published studies have investigated psychological morbidity in children with rheumatic heart diseases (RHD). Our work aims to explore the psychiatric symptoms in addition to total competence and quality of life in a sample of Egyptian children with RHD in comparison with those with no RHD and with healthy controls. Participants and methodsChildren (age 6–18 years) with RHD (n=24), those with congenital or other heart diseases (non-RHD) (n=23), and healthy control children (n=28) were recruited. The Arabic version of the Child Behavior Checklist was completed by parents. ResultsAfter adjustment for different socioeconomic statuses, all children with heart diseases were found to show more internalizing problems and post-traumatic stress compared with healthy children. Non-RHD children showed more generalized and social anxiety, whereas those with RHD showed higher levels of obsessive–compulsive problems. ConclusionChildren with heart diseases suffer from high internalizing psychological stress. More effort needs to be made for the early identification and management of psychological morbidity in children with RHD, especially for anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms.