Tourette syndrome in children

Valsamma Eapen; Tim Usherwood

doi:10.31128/AJGP-10-20-5700

Tourette syndrome in children

Aust J Gen Pract. 2021 Mar;50(3):120-125. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-10-20-5700.

Authors

Valsamma Eapen¹, Tim Usherwood²

Affiliations

¹ MBBS, PhD, FRCPsych, FRANZCP, Chair, Infant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW; Head, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry, South West Sydney (AUCS), NSW; Stream Director, Early Life Determinants of Health, Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE), NSW; Director, Program 1, Co-operative Research Centre for Autism (CRC), Qld; Director, BestSTART-SW (Systems Transformation and Research Translation @ South West Sydney) Academic Unit, NSW.
² Tim Usherwood BSc, MBBS, MD (Res), DMS, FRCP, FRCGP, FRACGP, FAICD, Head, Westmead Clinical School, The University Of Sydney, NSW; Professor of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW; Honorary Professorial Fellow, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW.

PMID: 33634279
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-10-20-5700

Abstract

Background: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), characterised by motor and vocal tics, has a prevalence of approximately 1% in school-aged children. Commonly encountered comorbidities of GTS include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive behaviour/disorder (OCB/OCD). Genetic factors play an important part in the aetiology of GTS, and family members may exhibit tics or related disorders such as ADHD, OCB or OCD.

Objective: The aim of this article is to present a summary of the current evidence to assist the assessment and management of GTS in primary care.

Discussion: A comprehensive assessment should include exploration of not only tics but also associated features and comorbidities. The stigmatising and impairing nature of tics can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the young person and their parents/carers, as well as on family functioning. Management includes education and explanation, behavioural treatments and (sometimes) medication.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / therapy
Child
Comorbidity
Humans
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / diagnosis
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / epidemiology
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / therapy
Quality of Life
Tourette Syndrome* / diagnosis
Tourette Syndrome* / epidemiology
Tourette Syndrome* / therapy