Health Encyclopedia

Childhood disintegrative disorder

Definition

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a condition occurring in 3- and 4-year-olds who have developed normally to age 2. Over several months, a child with this disorder will deteriorate in intellectual, social, and language functioning from previously normal behavior.

Alternative Names

Disintegrative psychosis; Heller syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of childhood disintegrative disorder is unknown, but it has been linked to neurological problems. An affected child shows a loss of communication skills, has regression in nonverbal behaviors, and significant loss of previously acquired skills. The condition is similar to autistic disorder (autism).

Symptoms

Loss of social skills
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Loss of expressive or receptive language
Loss of motor skills
Lack of play
Failure to develop peer relationships
Impairment in nonverbal behaviors
Delay or lack of spoken language
Inability to start or sustain a conversation

Signs and tests

This disorder must be differentiated from both childhood schizophrenia and pervasive developmental disorder (autism).

The most important signs of childhood disintegrative disorder are loss of developmental milestones. The child tends to have normal development through age 3 to 4, and then over a few months undergoes a gradual loss of previously established abilities (e.g., language, motor, or social skills). Generally, the diagnosis is made with a loss of functioning in at least two areas described above.

Treatment

Treatment is the same for autistic disorder (autism) because of the similarity in the two disorders.

Expectations (prognosis)

Unfortunately, the prognosis for this disorder is limited. The loss of functioning will likely be permanent. However, to some degree, behaviors can be modified.

Calling your health care provider

Call your provider if your child has any delays in development or starts to lose developmental abilities.

Review Date:6/13/2006
Reviewed By:Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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