Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood psychopathologies in Turkey. Method: A nation-wide, randomly selected, representative population of 5830 children (6–13 years-old) enrolled as a 2nd,3rd or 4th grade student in 30 cities were evaluated for presence of a psychiatric or mental disorder by a Sociodemographic Form, Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and DSM-IV-Based Screening Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents scales. Impairment criterion was assessed via a 3 point-Likert scale by the parent and the teacher independently. Results: Overall prevalence of any psychopathology was 37.6% without impairment criterion, and 17.1% with impairment criterion. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most frequent diagnosis, followed by anxiety (19.5% and 16.7% without impairment, 12.4% and 5.3% with impairment, respectively). Lower education level and presence of a physical or psychiatric problem of the parents were independent predictors of any psychopathology of the offspring. Conclusion: This is the largest and most comprehensive epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of psychopathologies in children and adolescents in Turkey. Our results partly higher than, and partly comparable to previous national and international studies. It also contributes to the literature by determining the independent predictors of psychopathologies in this age group.

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate demographics, clinical features, psychiatric diagnoses and prognosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) reported in Turkey, and to assess their association with mortality.Methods:  Data on all reported cases of NMS in the Turkish Psychiatric Index between 1985 and 2005 were collected. The type, dosage and administration period of neuroleptics, the clinical and laboratory findings; and prognosis were compared in terms of mortality.Results:  Thirty‐six patients with a mean age of 33.67 ± 16.98 years were identified. Fifteen (41.7%) were diagnosed as having schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders and the same number were diagnosed as having affective disorder. Remaining five (13.9%) were diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders and 1 (2.7%) had no psychiatric diagnosis. Twenty‐two (61.1%) of the NMS cases were associated with high potency typical neuroleptics. Association between an atypical antipsychotic and NMS has been reported in one case. NMS appeared within 7 days after initiation of the antipsychotic medication in the majority of samples (n = 19, 52.8%). Several combinations of rescue treatments were used in the majority of cases (n = 19, 52.8%), although bromocriptine (n = 22, 61.1%) was the most frequently preferred rescue treatment for NMS. Benzodiazepines were significantly better than the other treatment options in preventing mortality. Five out of the 36 patients (13.9%) with NMS had died. Age was the only significant independent factor that was associated with mortality.Conclusions:  Benzodiazepines may be included in the treatment of NMS. The mortality rate due to NMS in Turkey was lower than the previously reported rates from other developing countries.