CHILDREN WITH APERT-SYNDROME - BEHAVIORAL-PROBLEMS AND FAMILY STRESS

Apert syndrome is characterized by severe craniosynostosis, midface hy poplasia, and symmetric syndactyly of the hands and sometimes of the f eet. In this study, postal questionnaires were completed by parents of 41 children with Apert syndrome, Data from this preliminary survey re vealed that the children functioned fairly well socially despite their disabilities and potential for psychological difficulties. Parents su ffered from stress caused by problems over acceptance of the child's a ppearance, the child's behavioural problems, and parental low self-est eem, Ten mothers and eight fathers scored in the deviant range for par ental stress, suggesting a need for psychological counselling.