Objective: In this study, we aim to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and psychological functioning of children with gender dysphoria (GD) symptoms aged between 3-12 years. Material and Methods: The study group included 20 children (17 males, 3 females; mean age 6.63±2.43 years) with GD symptoms. A sociodemographic data form was used to collect data with regards to demographic and clinical characteristics, and pre- peri-and postnatal features. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is used to assess behavioral and emotional problems in the child. Results: The boy/girl ratio in the study group was 5.66. The mean age at onset of gender-nonconforming behaviors was 2.85±1.17 years and the mean age of admission to our clinic was 5.82±2.27 years. 20% of the mothers reported a preference for an opposite-sex child prior to conception; 20 % of the mothers reported prenatal stress, 20% of the mothers had prenatal and 25% had postnatal depressive symptoms. There was a risk of miscarriage in 10% of children and 25% were born prematurely. 55% of our study sample exceeded the clinical threshold for internalizing problems and 40% exceeded the clinical threshold for externalizing problems in CBCL ratings. Conclusion: There were more prepubertal boys than girls referred for GD symptoms and the age at referral was younger compared to western countries. In addition, findings of this study indicate that children with GD have poorer psychological functioning possibly due to social intolerance for cross-gender behaviors and/or interests alongside the GD per se.

A ttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently encountered multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. The distinction between differential diagnosis and comorbidity is not always clear. Generally, if the symptoms can be completely explained by another disorder, then the diagnosis is not ADHD. [1] Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and learning disorders are comorbidities seen in children. [2] ODD is the most frequently seen comorbidity among them. [3, 4] In a study conducted on children with ADHD, aged 6-17 years, Biederman et al. found comorbidities in 46% of chil-Objectives: The purpose of this study is to profile three groups of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and both ADHD and ODD, through analyzing their cognitive abilities, personality traits, and family characteristics. Methods: The study included 60 patients, with 20 patients in each group. Patients were selected according to the DSM IV criteria. They completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test, and their mothers filled out the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Marital Conflict Questionnaire. Results: There were no significant differences in picture completion, block design, and coding, which are the WISC-R subtests, between the three groups. In addition, there was no significant difference in verbal, performance, and WISC-R scores. Finally, there was no significant difference when the subdivisions of the CBCL externalizing and internalizing behaviors were analyzed individually. The Frequency of Marital Conflict Score and Conflict Expansion Score were analyzed, and there were no significant differences found between the three groups. The highest average of the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test was in the ODD group, whereas the lowest average was in the ADHD group. Conclusion: When comparing ADHD and ODD in terms of cognitive abilities, the observed differences may be because ODD has no genetic or organic component, and ADHD has an organic basis. In ODD, cognitive abilities are intact, which should underline the environmental and family factors.