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Kalverboer AF, van der Schot LWA, Hendrikx MMH, Huisman J, Slijper FME, Stemerdink BA. Social behaviour and task orientation in early-treated PKU. Acta Pzdiatr 1994;(Suppl 407): 104-5. Stockholm. ISSN 0803-5326In the context of the Dutch Collaborative Study on the Psychological Development of Children, early treated for Phenylketonuria (PKU), data were obtained on children's behaviour as perceived by parents (n = 53) and teachers (n = 57), using standardized behavioural questionnaires. Results are compared with a group representative of Dutch school-aged children (n = 1381) with a matched control group (n = 38), and with a group, to be considered as "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" (ADHD, n = 38). Especially the clusters "negative task orientation" and "extraversion" distinguish between PKU children and controls. In parents' descriptions as well as in teachers' descriptions PKU children score higher in both clusters. Intriguing differences are found between PKU and ADHD. In parents' but not in teachers' descriptions PKU children show signs of negative task orientation almost to a similar degree as children with ADHD, but not of the signs of "negative social behaviour", characteristic for ADHD children. Data are discussed in terms of the effectiveness of early treatment and guidance.

Parents' and teachers' ratings were used to evaluate the behavioural characteristics of children with early‐treated congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Comparisons were made between 63 children with early‐treated CH and 34 healthy controls at the ages of 7.5 and 9.5 y. Additional comparisons were made between the two largest CH subgroups (thyroid agenesis, thyroid dysgenesis) and controls. The most marked differences were found on the introversion cluster and the motor clumsiness scale within it. Children with CH, particularly those with thyroid agenesis, showed introversion and motor clumsiness rather than social negativity and inattention. It is suggested that this behavioural profile may well have its origins in the often‐reported inefficient motor behaviour of these children. Results are discussed in the light of recent findings suggesting an association between thyroid hormone problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Conclusion: Early‐treated CH is associated with introversion rather than with social negativity.