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Self-injurious behaviour as part of genetic syndromes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Shoumitro Deb*
Affiliation:
Division of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, Tel: 01222-562323, Fax: 01222-555047, E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this paper is to review the association between genetic syndromes and self-injurious behaviour.

Method

The information available from the literature on the subject of self-injurious behaviours and genetic syndromes was collated and presented with a critical appraisal.

Results

Self-injurious behaviours are associated with some genetic syndromes. However, the causal relationship between the genetic syndromes and the self-injurious behaviour remains far from clear.

Conclusions

Although self-injurious behaviour has been shown to be the part of a broader phenotype in many genetic disorders, the specificity and sensitivity of these behaviours in this context remain unclear.

Type
Review Articles
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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