Neurological and psychological characteristics of children with connective tissue dysplasia

Introduction Connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) is a condition in which there is a disruption to the formation of connective tissue in the embryonic and/or postnatal periods. The study reports on the clinical manifestations of cerebral venous insufficiency in children with CTD and examines the most common features for the timely prevention of complications of the course of the disease. We aimed to better characterize the common features of venous insufficiency symptoms of connective tissue disorders in children. Methods We examined 60 children with signs of CTD and 40 healthy controls in the age group of 10 to 16 years. The inclusion criteria consisted of venous complaints, symptoms and signs of CTD. Children with hereditary CTD, acquired deformations, trauma or other medical and psychiatric disorders were excluded. Results The CTD group, higher levels of total aesthesia (CTD: 45.9 ± 2.89; control: 25.9 ± 3.5) and physical fatigue (CTD: 43.4 ± 3.76; control: 24.9 ± 2.3). The CTD group also scored higher on the CESD depression scale compared to controls (CTD 26.4 ± 2.3; control: 12.3 ± 4.5). Conclusions Patients with severe CTD require closer attention as early as adolescence. Signs of chronic cerebral venous insufficiency combined with reduced background mood can be predictors of an earlier development of cerebrovascular disease in this group of patients.