The Mannheim ACCA study - Aims, methods, and previous results

Background: The concept of MBD has repeatedly been criticized. Little syste matic information has emerged from relevant epidemiological research in con tinental Europe. Objective: Determination of the meaning of MBD and specifi c developmental disorders as well as the prevalence and course of psycholog ical disorders. Methods: 399 children of a field sample were followed from the age of 8 pars up to the age of 25 years. Results: MBD proved to be unsu itable for clinical practice, SDD were a risk factor for psychological diso rders. Stressors of early childhood were as significant as later life event s. The effects of noncompliants and drop-outs were negligible. Conclusions: The concept of MBD should be dropped. Children with SDD should be treated very early, and the effects of noncompliance have to be checked in every ep idemiological investigation.