Development and Validation of a Novel Screening Tool for Early Detection of Developmental and Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Not yet recruiting

Brief Summary: The proposed research project aims to develop a novel screening tool for the early diagnosis of developmental and mood disorders in children and adolescents . Early detection of such disorders is crucial for timely intervention, which can significantly improve long-term outcomes for affected children. The screening tool will be designed to be comprehensive yet easy to administer, parent-reported measures to identify early signs of developmental delays and mood disturbances.

This project will involve several phases, starting with an extensive review of existing screening tools and current literature to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The next phase will focus on the design and development of the new tool, leveraging the latest advancements in developmental psychology and pediatric psychiatry. The tool will undergo rigorous validation through pilot studies involving diverse populations to ensure its accuracy, reliability, and cultural sensitivity.

Ultimately, the goal of this project is to create an effective, widely applicable screening tool that can be used by healthcare professionals and educators to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. By identifying developmental and mood disorders at an earlier stage, the tool will help to provide children with the necessary support and resources to enhance their developmental trajectories and overall well-being.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Children diagnosed Severe Neurological Disorders: Children with epilepsy with uncontrolled seizures, or neurodegenerative disorders that significantly impair communication or cooperation in screening assessments.
Children with acute medical illness at the time of screening: Children who are hospitalized or have a severe acute illness at the time of screening will be excluded to avoid confounding effects on behavioral assessment.
Children with a prior diagnosis with a fully established psychiatric disorder and undergoing intensive treatment: If a child is already diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder) and is undergoing intensive psychiatric treatment (hospitalization, psychotherapy, or multiplepsychotropic medications), they may be excluded to prevent bias in validation.
Children with history of developmental regression due to organic causes: Children with documented progressive developmental regression due to metabolic or genetic syndromes that significantly impact cognitive and behavioral function.
Children with non-consent from Parent/Guardian.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To develop and validate a novel screening tool for early detection of developmental, mood, and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.	2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prevalence of Developmental, Mood, and Behavioral Disorders in the study population	2 years

Locations (1): Saveetha Medical College and Hospital
🇮🇳
Kancheepuram, TAMIL NADU, India
Saveetha Medical College and Hospital
🇮🇳Kancheepuram, TAMIL NADU, India
Shreenivas Rachakonda
Principal investigator
09008842152
shreenivas.rachakonda30@gmail.com