Alter der Mutter und seelische Gesundheit des Kindes. Untersuchung einer Inanspruchnahme-population

The data of all first born or only children seen at the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at a university hospital from 1978-84 were analyzed according to maternal age at birth of the patient. Mixed emotional and conduct disorder as well as hyperkinetic syndromes are overrepresented in the youngest maternal age group (less than or equal to 17 at delivery). The difference to other groups remains significant for the former diagnosis even after matching for age, sex, socioeconomic status and whether or not the natural parents lived together at the time of presentation. Children of teenage mothers (less than or equal to 20 at delivery) were considerably disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic status and family stability.