Psychiatric difficulties in females with fragile X syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analyses

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW SYSTEMATIC REVIEW SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Selective mutism and autism spectrum disorder in girls: a critical narrative review

A critical narrative review of contemporary literature examining the interface between SM and ASD in girls, with emphasis on neurobiological mechanisms, dimensional psychopathology, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications reveals converging evidence of shared neurobiological substrates including amygdala hyperreactivity and altered connectivity within social brain networks.

Clinical characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder in older adults: a scoping review.

There is an urgent need for prospective longitudinal studies to adequately map the aging trajectories of this population of older adults with ASD, which constitute a vulnerable population.

Minor physical anomalies in ASD and ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are subtle morphological variants that may reflect atypical prenatal development. Elevated MPAs have been reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but findings have been inconsistent. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and grey-literature sources for case-control studies published through December 2025 that reported total MPA scores in ASD or ADHD versus typically developing controls. Pooled effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g using random-effects models with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Shared control groups were handled by sample splitting. Heterogeneity, subgroup and moderator effects, and small-study effects were examined. RESULTS Twelve ASD studies and eight ADHD studies met inclusion criteria. Across disorders, MPAs were significantly elevated relative to controls (pooled g = 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.89). Disorder-specific pooled estimates were significant for both ASD (g = 0.69) and ADHD (g = 0.77), with no significant difference between disorders (Qbet = 0.22, p = 0.64). In ASD, effects were stronger for craniofacial anomalies than for peripheral anomalies, and item-level syntheses highlighted several ear- and palate-related features. In ADHD, evidence of small-study effects suggested possible overestimation, although conclusions remained robust in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS MPAs are reliably elevated in both ASD and ADHD. Current case-control evidence supports MPAs as a transdiagnostic marker of early developmental perturbation rather than a feature that strongly differentiates between these disorders.

Underdiagnosis of ADHD in Women as a Hidden Hurdle and Its Consequences for Functioning in Adulthood— A Literature Review

Background: ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and affects 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults. Lower diagnosis rates in females suggest a different clinical presentation, contributing to delayed diagnoses and negative outcomes across multiple domains of functioning. Aim: This study examines underdiagnosed ADHD in women, assessing its impact on functioning in adulthood, including mental health, quality of life, and long-term impairments. Material and methods: A literature review using PubMed/MEDLINE (2010–2025) included clinical, longitudinal cohort, and epidemiological research addressing sex differences in ADHD diagnosis, symptom presentation, and long-term functional outcomes, with a focus on the female population. Results: Women with ADHD are significantly underdiagnosed in childhood, often receiving diagnosis only in adulthood after years of treatment for comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, or personality disorders. Internalized symptoms and emotional dysregulation frequently mask core ADHD features. Late diagnosis is associated with impaired educational and occupational achievement, relationship instability, low self-esteem, substance misuse, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of self-harm and suicide attempts. ADHD in women also increases risk of psychiatric and obstetric complications, including teenage pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, substance misuse, and postpartum depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Underdiagnosis of ADHD in women remains a significant clinical and public health issue. Greater awareness of sex-specific symptom presentation and improved diagnostic strategies are essential to prevent long-term psychosocial consequences and improve quality of life in affected women.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Parents With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Research indicates that an increasing number of adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are becoming parents. Parents with ID face multiple challenges that increase their mental health risks. In order to ensure better detection and tailored care for parents with ID, this systematic review aimed to summarise the prevalence of mental disorders in parents with ID during pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood. METHODS Studies included individuals with clinically diagnosed ID who had experienced pregnancy or parenthood and reported prevalence figures of mental disorders. Searches of MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE and grey literature were conducted from inception to July 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS The review identified 10 studies involving 42 207 individuals aged 18-58 years. Across the studies, the prevalence of mental disorders specifically during pregnancy was not reported; two studies screened women within 12 months postpartum; the remaining studies included parents of children aged 0-21 years. The results indicate an overall prevalence of 45% for any mental disorder in parents with ID. Studies using screening tools reported prevalence rates of up to 63% for depression, 30% for anxiety and 17% for psychosis. One large cohort study assessing mental health over the perinatal period reported increased odds of all mental disorders in mothers with ID. Due to the heterogeneity of methodologies used across studies data was not pooled. CONCLUSION This review indicates a high prevalence of mental disorders in parents with ID. The findings highlight the need for tailored screening and support for parents with ID. However, literature is limited and more research is required.