The contribution of neurologic disorders to the national prevalence of depression and anxiety problems among children and adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: Depression and anxiety are growing global public health issues and affect millions of children and adolescents in the United States. Although individuals with neurologic disorders (NDs) are at increased risk of adverse mental health disorders, they represent a minority of the population. The purpose of this study was to characterize the national prevalence of depression and anxiety problems in children and adolescents by the presence of various NDs.

Methods: Parent-reported data from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed in children and adolescents with and without NDs aged 6-17 years.

Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety problems varied by the type of ND (0%-18.5% and 2.8%-62.5%, respectively). In the combined group of children and adolescents with NDs (weighted estimate: 1,998,654), the prevalence of depression and anxiety problems was 15.3% and 37.9%, respectively, whereas in children and adolescents without NDs (weighted estimate: 47,644,055), the prevalence was 3.4% and 7.3%, respectively. Children and adolescents with NDs represented 4.0% of the total sample, but 15.7% and 17.7% of the overall sample with depression and anxiety problems, respectively.

Conclusions: Children and adolescents with NDs contribute to a considerable portion of the overall prevalence of depression and anxiety problems despite only representing 4% of the population.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Neurological disorders.