Behavioral Health Diagnoses in Youth with Differences of Sex Development or Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Compared with Controls: A PEDSnet Study

Abstract

To evaluate the odds of a behavioral health diagnosis among youth with differences of sex development (DSD) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) compared with matched controls in the PEDSnet database. All youth with a diagnosis of DSD (n=1216) or CAH (n=1647) and at least 1 outpatient encounter were extracted from the PEDSnet database and propensity-score matched on 8 variables (1:4) with controls (n=4864 and 6588, respectively) using multivariable logistic regression. The likelihood of having behavioral health diagnoses was examined using generalized estimating equations. Youth with DSD had higher odds of a behavioral health diagnosis (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.1; P<.0001) and neurodevelopmental diagnosis (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4, 2.0; P<.0001) compared with matched controls. Youth with CAH did not have an increased odds of a behavioral health diagnosis (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9, 1.1; P=.9) compared with matched controls but did have higher odds of developmental delay (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4, 2.4; P<.0001). Youth with DSD diagnosis have higher odds of a behavioral health or neurodevelopmental diagnosis compared with matched controls. Youth with CAH have higher odds of developmental delay, highlighting the need for screening in both groups.