Background: Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics. Although Tourette syndrome is known to have various comorbidities, comprehensive data on its prevalence and associated conditions in a large, diverse population are limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Tourette syndrome and its comorbidities in children aged 3 to 17 years using data from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Methods: Data from 79,236 children aged 3–17 years were analyzed. The prevalence of Tourette syndrome was assessed, and its association with socio-demographic factors and comorbid conditions, including prematurity and low birth weight, was examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of Tourette syndrome was 0.3% among children aged 3–17 years, with higher rates in males (74%) and adolescents aged 11–17 years (74%). Prematurity and low birth weight were associated with higher rates of Tourette syndrome and its comorbidities. Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD (49% in Tourette syndrome vs. 10.2% in non-Tourette syndrome), autism spectrum disorder (21% vs. 3.2%), and learning disabilities were significantly more prevalent among children with Tourette syndrome. Similarly, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety (60% vs. 11.3%) and depression (25% vs. 5%) were more common in the Tourette syndrome group. Immune-based conditions, including asthma and allergies, and physical health conditions such as diabetes and vision or hearing problems, were also significantly associated with TS. Conclusions: The study highlights the significant burden of comorbidities in children with Tourette syndrome, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive management strategies to address the multifaceted challenges faced by these children.

Background: The primary goal of our study is to assess the national US prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), along with its socio-demographic characteristics, severity, and co-occurring medical and psychiatric disorders, using data from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Methods: We analyzed 2020–2021 NSCH data to estimate the prevalence of ever-diagnosed and current ASD among 79,182 children and adolescents (3–17 years). Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to examine associations between medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, socio-demographic factors, and ASD severity. Results: Adolescents (11–17 years) and males were more likely to have ASD, with males comprising 78.7% of the ASD group. The mean age of the sample was 10.1 ± 4.6 years, and 3.2% had an ASD diagnosis. Children from lower-income households and those with caregivers who completed only a high school education were more likely to have ASD. Nearly 96.4% of children with ASD had at least one co-morbid condition. The most common neuropsychiatric co-morbidities were developmental delay (64%), behavioral and conduct problems (57.8%), and anxiety disorder (45.7%), while the most common medical conditions were allergies (32.4%), genetic disorders (26.2%), and asthma (12.6%). Gender disparities in ASD presentation were evident that females with ASD were more likely to experience vision problems, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, depression, and intellectual disability but had lower odds of ADHD and anxiety problems. Greater ASD severity was linked to higher odds of intellectual disability (OR: 5.8, p < 0.001), developmental delay (OR: 5.0, p < 0.001), epilepsy, Down syndrome (OR: 3.4, p < 0.001), vision problems (OR: 2.5, p < 0.001), and genetic disorders (OR: 2.3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides updated prevalence estimates of ASD and highlights the high burden of co-morbidities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches in ASD management. Additionally, our findings emphasize gender differences in ASD presentation, which should be considered in future research and clinical practice to ensure more tailored diagnostic and intervention strategies.

Background: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, are among the serious mental health challenges that Health Care Workers (HCWs) faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As these symptoms reduce the mental well-being and effectiveness of HCWs which are followed by poor health outcomes for patients, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of OCD symptoms among HCWs worldwide. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Emerald, and ERIC databases were searched using related keywords till the end of October 2021. Observational studies about the prevalence of OCD symptoms among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic were screened and evaluated. In order to assess the quality of studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) checklist was used. The effect measure was the prevalence rate with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 7864 individuals from 11 studies were included. The range of OCD symptoms prevalence across these studies was from 0.07 to 0.47. Due to the high heterogeneity between the studies (I² = 98.6%, P < 0.01), the random effects model was used. The pooled prevalence was 0.29 (95% CI: 0.22–0.38) based on logit transformed CI. Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of OCD symptoms was 29% among the HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This prevalence was higher than the general population according to the pre-pandemic literature, but lower than the recent reports amid the pandemic. Psychosocial interventions are suggested to be designed and implemented in such conditions.

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an emerging noninvasive treatment modality for various psychiatric disorders, but its applications in child and adolescent populations remain underexplored. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the therapeutic potential of TMS in treating psychiatric conditions within this demographic. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify studies published up to March 2025 that reported on the use of transcranial TMS in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Results: We found 32 published studies that included at least one type of TMS. TMS demonstrates potential as a safe and effective intervention for conditions such as depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, Tourette Syndrome, and childhood schizophrenia. However, the therapeutic outcomes vary significantly across conditions and protocols. Conclusions: TMS offers a promising, well-tolerated option for addressing psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, but its application requires careful ethical and clinical consideration. To fully realize its potential, future research should focus on refining protocols, standardizing methodologies, and ensuring safety while expanding its use across diverse psychiatric conditions in younger populations.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a multifactorial condition, and interest in gut–brain interactions is increasing. We conducted a systematic two-step review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251083936). Step 1 mapped core OCD biology to gut-relevant pathways, including neuroimmune activation, epithelial barrier function, microbial metabolites, and stress circuitry, to clarify plausible mechanisms. Step 2 synthesized evidence from human and preclinical studies that measured or manipulated microbiota. Searches across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane (September 2025) yielded 357 biological and 20 microbiota-focused studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for human studies and SYRCLE’s tool for animal studies. Although taxonomic findings in human cohorts were heterogeneous, functional patterns converged: reduced short-chain fatty acid capacity, enrichment of pro-inflammatory pathways, and host markers of barrier disruption and inflammation correlating with OCD severity. Transferring patient microbiota to mice induced OCD-like behaviors with neuroinflammatory changes, partly rescued by metabolites or barrier-supporting strains. Mendelian randomization suggested possible causal contributions at higher taxonomic levels. Diet, especially fiber intake, and psychotropic exposure were major sources of heterogeneity. Evidence supports the microbiota as a modifiable co-factor in a subset of OCD, motivating diet-controlled, stratified clinical trials with composite host–microbe endpoints.

Background: Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) is a major public health concern, impacting not only smokers but also those around them, particularly children and adolescents. TSE is linked to various neuropsychiatric conditions and significantly impacts quality of life. This study examines the prevalence, socio-demographic factors, and the impact of TSE on the severity of neurological and psychiatric co-morbidities. Methods: Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) in the US from 2020 to 2021 were used in this study. We included 91,404 children and adolescents aged between 0 to 17 years for the TSE prevalence and socio-demographic analysis, and 79,182 children and adolescents aged between 3 and 17 years for the neuropsychiatric co-morbidities analysis. The mean age of these individuals was 8.7 (standard deviation: 5.3), and 11,751 (12.9%) had confirmed TSE. Results: Our analysis showed that TSE is more common in males (53%) than females (47%). Additionally, the odds of TSE were higher in families with a lower income level and with American Indian/Native Alaska racial descent. We found that 36.4% of youths with TSE developed at least one co-morbid condition. The most common neuropsychiatric co-morbidities were anxiety problems (15.7%), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (15.5%), behavioral and conduct problems (13.7%), and learning disability (12%). Females had lower odds of co-morbid anxiety (OR: 0.3, p = 0.02) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (OR: 0.9, p = 0.04) than males. Asians showed lower odds of co-morbid ADHD (OR: 0.3, p-value: 0.001), anxiety problems (OR: 0.4, p-value: 0.003), speech/other language disorder (OR: 0.4, p-value: 0.001), developmental delay (OR: 0.4, p-value: 0.001), behavioral and conduct problems (OR: 0.4, p-value: 0.003), and learning disability (OR: 0.5, p-value: 0.004). Conversely, American Indian children and adolescents had higher odds of co-morbid headaches (OR: 3, p-value: 0.005). TSE co-occurring with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) (OR: 4.4, p < 0.001), ADHD (OR: 1.3, p < 0.001), developmental delay (OR: 1.3, p < 0.001), behavioral problems (OR: 1.3, p < 0.001), headaches (OR: 1.3, p = 0.005), depression (OR: 1.2, p = 0.02), anxiety (OR: 1.2, p < 0.01), ASD (OR: 1.2, p < 0.001), and learning disability (OR: 1.2, p = 0.03) may contribute to a more severe manifestation. Conclusions: ADHD, behavioral/conduct problems, and learning disabilities were the most prevalent co-occurring conditions with TSE. Our findings show that 36.4% of youths with TSE had at least one neuropsychiatric comorbidity. Screening for these conditions in youths exposed to TSE is crucial for early detection and interventions to increase their mental health and well-being.