Family Interview Research Articles

Intergenerational transmission and multilingual dynamics: exploring language policies in Chaoshan families through a contextual lens

ABSTRACT Amidst the rapid processes of industrialization and globalization, the interplay between minority and majority languages has garnered increasing attention, highlighting concerns surrounding linguistic diversity and the efficacious enactment of language policies. This study delves into the intricacies of language planning within the familial domain, specifically scrutinizing Chaoshan families in the Chaoshan region as pivotal arenas for nurturing the enduring vitality of Teochew. Employing a methodological approach integrating family visits, interaction recordings, and interviews, this study probes the dynamics of family language policies and individuals’ perceptions vis-à-vis the nexus between linguistic practices and identity formation, with particular emphasis on intergenerational transmission. The results highlight that although Teochew continues to be actively used in family conversations and is closely linked to local identity formation, it is gradually losing ground among younger generations. This decline in passing down the dialect from one generation to the next is noticeable and poses a challenge to its long-term continuity. These insights indicate potential challenges to the sustained perpetuation of Teochew, warranting concerted societal and individual endeavors to safeguard its status as a cherished linguistic asset. The study underscores the importance of societal and individual efforts in preserving Teochew as a valuable linguistic resource.

The family and substance abuser in the mental health institution environment

Background: South African drug usage demographics are rare. Substance abuse disorder patients and their families have complex interactions. This study examines family members living with drug addict.Aim: The study seeks to investigate the experiences of family members living with a substance use disorder (SUD) individual.Setting: The research took place in a Gqeberha psychiatric facility. Low-income households were interviewed.Methods: This research is qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study. Recorded and transcribed in-depth patient family interviews were collected. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The data themes were interpreted using family systems theory.Results: Each of the three main themes has subthemes. The first theme concerns family members’ inadequate comprehension of addiction. The subtheme explores family members’ denial and failure to recognize substance use disease symptoms. The second theme concerns variations in behaviour that challenge cultural norms. This subtheme addresses hallucinations, delusions, and fury in SUD patients. The third theme addresses the negative effects of drug use on families, potentially leading to divorce. This subtheme focuses on the family’s lack of awareness of resources that may have supported them and the SUD individual.Conclusion: Immediate family members are crucial to patient recovery. The family seemed to be struggling living with an SUD relative. Experts should help the family to manage the addict’s treatment. Healthcare education can help families cope with substance abusers.Contribution: This study will assist the nursing administration in discovering ways to help families manage a loved one with an SUD.

Exploring the role of the Kinship programme’s joint nature experience in family well-being

ABSTRACT As technology advances, there is a risk of losing touch with nature and, therefore, missing out on its benefits. Many studies provide evidence that time spent in nature enhances and contributes to individual well-being. However, few studies are conducted in other countries or in South Africa regarding joint nature experiences and their role in family well-being. This study aimed to explore and describe the role of the Kinship Programme’s joint nature experience in family well-being in a South African context. The research employed a qualitative, explorative-descriptive design. Through purposive sampling, five families were included. Data were collected through semi-structured family interviews and family drawings which were analysed thematically. Four themes emerged from the analysis: Personal growth and development within the family; strengthening familial relationships; connecting with nature; and fostering a sense of belonging. The programme plays a positive role in the participants’ well-being.

아동기 애착외상 경험이 있는 한 성인의 가족관계 경험과 회복에 대한 자문화기술지

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of childhood attachment trauma experiences in the original family on the experience of family relationships after marriage and the experience of restoring family relationships in the process of post-traumatic recovery from an insider's point of view, to help understand those who have experienced such trauma and to suggest counseling implications. Methods: For this purpose, we applied autoethnography, a qualitative research method, to collect data such as memory data, diary data including self-observation and self-analysis, and family interviews. The collected data were subjected to value coding, emotion coding, and longitudinal coding during data analysis. Results: As a result, it was confirmed that the experience of attachment trauma continues across generations and that maladaptive psychological processes resulting from the traumatic experience are repeated in family relationships after marriage. Moreover, the changing factors that appeared in the process of recovering family relationships were identified. Conclusions: The significance and limitations of this study were presented.

Interventional Analysis of Music Therapy on Emotional Behavior in Children with Autism

Music therapy, as an emerging field of rehabilitation, has been studied by many people. However, it only proves the effectiveness of music therapy in addressing emotional and behavioral issues in children with autism, and there are no specific strategies and methods applicable to special education schools for reference. This study attempts to address this issue. This study adopted a cross subject multi trial design in a single subject experimental method, with music therapy as the independent variable. Using the emotional behavior of these four autistic children who cried for no reason as the dependent variable, data was collected during the baseline, intervention, and maintenance periods to verify the intervention effect of music therapy on emotional behavior. The research results indicate that music therapy has immediate, sustained, and generalized effects on typical emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism. After music therapy intervention, the frequency of emotional and behavioral problems in each of the four autistic children decreased significantly, their self-control ability improved significantly, and language interaction was significantly prolonged. Based on the observation of student expressions and actions, participation statistics, and family interviews, it can be seen that students are interested in the environment of visual music, rhythm training, and situational music. The correct grasp of the core concepts of music therapy and timely feedback on intervention content play a crucial role in the treatment effect in this study.

LITMUS Turkish sentence repetition test: The best items, effect of scoring and diagnostic accuracy

Purpose This study aimed to examine LITMUS Turkish Sentence Repetition Test’s (LITMUS-TR) diagnostic accuracy, as well as the best scoring method and most distinguishing test items. We also sought to ascertain whether age has an impact on the sensitivity and specificity. Method Two hundred and fifty children with typical language development (TD) between the ages of 4 and 7, as well as 44 children with developmental language disorder (DLD), took part in the study. Data was collected using TODİL, LITMUS-TR, and the pediatric family interview form. LITMUS-TR was graded using four different methods. Results The performance of children with DLD in each score type was lower and the number of errors higher than those with TD. All items have excellent or acceptable item difficulty and discrimination values for binary scoring and total number of errors. LITMUS-TR's most distinctive items were complex structures with dependencies, such as syntactic movement and embedding. LITMUS-TR had high diagnostic accuracy for the whole test (0.887) and each scoring method. A separate analysis of each age group showed sensitivity and specificity above 0.80. Conclusions When employed as a supportive objective measure, LITMUS-TR was proven to be an effective diagnostic tool for DLD, with age influencing the diagnostic accuracy outcomes.

Solid Organ Donation Process: Correlation between Pro!le, Learning and Course Indication

Objectives: To understand the pro!le of professionals trained in the solid organ donation process, to analyze the result of their learning before and after the course, and to correlate the pro!le and the performance of the professional with the learning and indication of the course. Methods: Retrospective, quantitative, analytical-descriptive study with participants of the course Processo de Doação de Órgãos Sólidos para Pro!ssionais de Saúde. Online questionnaires were used on professional pro!le, performance in the area of organ donation, knowledge assessment, and course indication. "e analyses and correlations were veri!ed with the McNemar test, Spearman's rank, and the bisserial point. Results: Of the 130 professionals, 62% were nurses, 38% physicians, 35% emergency physicians, 26% intensivists, and 42% had more than 10 years of training. For the pro!le of work in the area of organ donation, the professionals report having participated in up to !ve cases in each of the following stages: 44% were involved in the brain death protocol, 56% in the family interview, and 60% in the organ donation process. "e class knowledge retention rate was 26.7%, with 29.5% for physicians and 24.8% for nurses. "e indication of the course was evaluated following the Net Promoter Score (NPS), being in the promoters zone. "e correlation between the groups was positive and statistically signi!cant for those working in the emergency room, with more than 5 years since graduation and with more than !ve cases reported on the questioned stages of organ donation. No signi!cant correlation was identi!ed between these variables and the indication of the course. Conclusion: "e course contributed to the learning of professionals with more training time, greater previous experience in the stages of the organ donation process, and working in the emergency sector.

Do Attachment, Educator Characteristics and Youth-Educator Relationship Matter in 6-Month Changes of Institutionalized Adolescents?

This longitudinal study involved youths in residential care due to previous adverse experiences and their educators, aiming to investigate the role of youths and educators' attachment, educators' psychopathology, and the quality of youth-educator relationship on change scores of youths' symptoms and youth-educator relationship security over 6 months. Participants were 36 institutionalized youths (Mage = 16.50 ± 2.13) and their 25 main educators (Mage = 38.48 ± 5.75), assessed at baseline (T1) and 6 months later (T2). Youths were assessed in total, internalizing and externalizing problems via a multi-informant approach, and educators in psychopathology levels. Attachment representations of youths and educators were assessed through validated attachment interviews (Friends and Family Interview and Adult Attachment Interview), and both separately rated the youth-educator relationship. (1) Most cases remain stable over 6 months. (2) Educator narrative coherence and the quality of youth-educator relationship at baseline were correlated but not predictive of change in youths' symptoms. (3) Youths' higher attachment disorganization at baseline was the unique predictor of 14% variance of positive change in the youth-educator relationship security perceived by the youth. (4) Youth attachment avoidance uniquely predicted 37% of positive change variance in the youth-educator relationship security perceived by educators. In conclusion, attachment-based assessment of youths and educators can inform intervention to foster youth improvement.

Early maternal guidance of mother-child emotion dialogues predicts adolescents’ attachment representations: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT This study examined the contribution of early vs. concurrent maternal guidance of emotion dialogues with their children to the security and coherence of the children’s attachment representations as adolescents. Maternal Sensitive Guidance was assessed from mother-child emotion dialogues when participants were preschoolers (approximate age 4 years) and young adolescents (approximate age 12.5 years), along with an assessment of adolescents’ attachment representations using the Friends and Family Interview (FFI). Mothers’ Sensitive Guidance in preschool predicted adolescents’ coherence in the FFI, secure maternal (but not paternal) representations, and a positive representation of sibling relationships. In contrast, mothers’ concurrent Sensitive Guidance was related only to adolescents’ sibling relationships. These results highlight the significance of mothers’ sensitive guidance of emotion dialogues during the early years for their children’s later attachment representations, and point to the need for further examination of mothers’ role when they guide emotion dialogues with their adolescents.

The Impact of Early Brain-Dead Donor Detection in the Emergency Department on the Organ Donation Process in Iran.

We aimed to assess the impact of hospital characteristics on the outcomes of detected possible brain-dead donors, in our organ procurement network in Iran. Data was collected through twice-daily calls with 57 hospitals' intensive care units and emergency departments over 1year. The donation team got involved when there was suspicion of brain death before the hospital officially declared it. The data was categorized by hospital size, presence of neurosurgery/trauma departments, ownership, and referral site. Out of 813 possible donors, 315 were declared brain dead, and 203 were eligible for donation. After conducting family interviews (consent rate: 62.2%), 102 eligible donors became actual donors (conversion rate: 50.2%). While hospital ownership and the presence of trauma/neurosurgery care did not affect donation, early referral from the emergency department had a positive effect. Therefore, we strongly recommend prioritizing possible donor identification in emergency rooms and involving the organ donation team as early as possible. The use of twice-daily calls for donor identification likely contributed to the consistency in donation rates across hospitals, as this approach involves the donation team earlier and mitigates the impact of hospital characteristics. Early detection of possible donors from the emergency department is crucial in improving donation rates.

Factors facilitating and delaying disclosure and reporting of child sexual abuse: insights from forensic interviews

ABSTRACT In light of limited existing knowledge, we aimed to examine the connection between disclosure facilitators and delays in the context of forensic interviews. We examined interview records from 403 children under 18 suspected of sexual abuse at a child advocacy center. The forensic interview records, family interview forms, and psychiatric examination reports in the files were retrospectively examined. Frequency, mean, and chi-square tests were implemented to analyze the data. The reasons for facilitating and delaying the disclosure of abuse were evaluated using a descriptive analysis method. Of the cases, 79.4% were girls, and 74% were in the 12–18 age group. It was determined that the presence of witnesses, evidence, and messages (16.37%) and discomfort with the suspect’s/abuser’s behavior (11.66%) facilitated the disclosure of abuse. On the other hand, reporting of abuse was delayed due to the suspect’s/abuser’s threats (18.85%) and the victim’s fear, embarrassment and avoidance of her/his family (10.66%). The characteristics of abuse and disclosure reasons varied based on age groups and the intimacy level of the suspect. It has been observed that pre-adolescent children may face cognitive obstacles in disclosing abuse.

An observational study of auditory-evoked potential mismatch negativity response in individuals at high genetic risk for schizophrenia

Objectives: This study presents a novel approach by investigating the abnormal mismatch negativity (MMN) found during response to auditory-evoked potential (ERP) in schizophrenia (SZ) patients. Our unique focus is on the genetic high-risk (GHR) for SZ, comparing it with healthy controls (HC). In addition, we aim to illuminate the interrelationship of MMN with socio-occupational functioning in the GHR group, a novel aspect of our research. Material and Methods: We conducted this study with a rigorous methodology, ensuring the reliability and validity of our findings. Thirty first-degree relatives of SZ patients (GHR) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited by purposive sampling and compared with thirty HCs. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data from all study participants, which were assessed by the Family Interview of Genetic Studies. GHR was evaluated for current socio-occupation functioning using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). All the participants underwent 128-channel electroencephalographic recording using an auditory-evoked responses paradigm. The MMN was calculated at the frontal electrode clusters, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection. Results: The study revealed a statistically significant difference in frontal MMN latency between GHR and HC. Moreover, a positive relationship was noted between the SOFAS score and MMN amplitude, and a negative relationship was found between the latencies at the frontal region. Conclusion: Our research has made a significant breakthrough in understanding SZ. Our findings reveal that individuals with a genetic susceptibility to SZ exhibit a unique response in a particular test known as MMN. This test measures the automatic auditory change detection mechanism, which detects minor alterations in the acoustic environment and is referred to as MMN. This newfound insight could prove instrumental in developing more effective diagnoses and treatments for SZ.

Prevalence, trends, and specialized palliative care utilization in Taiwanese children and young adults with life-limiting conditions between 2008 and 2017: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown a growing need for pediatric palliative care, but there is a lack of knowledge in many countries concerning prevalence of service use among children and young adults with life-limiting conditions. This study aimed to estimate (1) the annual prevalence of children and young adults with a life-limiting condition, and (2) their specialized palliative care and other healthcare utilization.MethodsData from the Health and Welfare Data Science Center in Taiwan were used. All children and young adults aged 0–25 years recorded in inpatient or outpatient data, and infants aged < 1 year in death data with a life-limiting condition diagnostic code from 2008 to 2017 were recruited. Poisson regression was used to estimate the crude and adjusted relative risk of prevalence of life-limiting conditions with 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for age and sex, and to evaluate the trend in prevalence of each life-limiting diagnostic groups, in specialized palliative care and other service use.ResultsData contained 236,250 individuals with a life-limiting condition, of which oncological and congenital abnormalities were the most common. There was an annualized increase over 10 years in the prevalence of life-limiting conditions of 36.4%, from 45,311 cases (59.4 per 10,000 population) to 52,226 cases (81.0 per 10,000 population), with the highest prevalence in individuals aged 21–25 years. All diagnostic groups showed significant increases in prevalence (p < .001) with the exception of oncology, circulatory, and “other” group. Specialized palliative care services, including family consultation, shared care, home visits have increased in use over time (p < .001), while inpatient hospice has slightly decreased. The highest prevalence of healthcare use was for traditional Chinese medicine (237.1 per 1,000 population in 2017), but this decreased over time (p < .001).ConclusionsDue to a growing trend towards multidisciplinary care, healthcare professionals and policymakers must engage and take action to expand specialized palliative care and integrate delivery of other healthcare services. Traditional Chinese medicine having a decreasing slope, yet still the highest prevalence of use, needs further attention.

Qualitative Study to Identify Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Challenges of Family Adoption Programs among Students.

National Medical Commission (NMC) in their recent notification included Family Adoption Program (FAP) in the undergraduate curriculum to provide a learning opportunity towards community-based health care to Indian medical graduates. This study is carried out to explore and know strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of FAP. FAP were used to gather data using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews of the stakeholders of the program. FGD of students was conducted. In-depth interviews of families, Sarpanch, Panchayat members, ASHA workers of the village, faculties, and Head of the Department of Community Medicine were conducted. Data analysis was done by using deductive-inductive content analysis method using computer software NVivo. Four main categories or themes were formed: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. Strengths include increased understanding about Community Medicine subject, beneficence to students, and community. Weakness includes difficulties in field with respect to time and availability and implementation of programs. Opportunities include early field exposure and FAP as a platform for primary healthcare. Challenges include competencies not aligned with phasewise curriculum and difficulties in adopting five families per student. The family adoption program needs to be adopted and implemented as a part of curriculum for MBBS students as there are many strengths and opportunities, while weaknesses and challenges need to be addressed.

An Exploratory Case-Control Study for Mitochondrial DNA G10398A in Bipolar I Disorder Patients with a Family History of Affective Disorders.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) G10398A polymorphism has been associated with bipolar disorder (BD). It leads to an amino acid substitution within NADH dehydrogenase subunit, thereby altering the mitochondrial complex I function. This exploratory case-control study assesses the association of mtDNA G10398A with the risk of BD and its relationship to clinical variables in Indian patients. Cases met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnosis of BD-I in remission and had a family history of BD or recurrent unipolar disorder in biological relatives. The healthy controls (HC) had no known illness and were screened negative for Family Interview for Genetic Studies. Participants were assessed using Clinical Pro forma, NIMH-Life Chart Method and Alda lithium response scale. The mtDNA G10398A was assessed with real-time polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan assay. A total of 82 participants were recruited across cases and controls, with 42 patients (50% with maternal history) and 40 healthy individuals with similar demographic profiles. The mean age of onset was 25.16 (standard deviation [SD] 7.6) years, with illness for 11.59 years (SD: 7.18). Allele A was found in 50% of cases compared to 32.5% HC (odds ratio = 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-5.09). Findings remain non-significant for patients with maternal mood disorders (allele A: 38.9%; 21/42). Cases with allele G had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.008) than those with allele A. The study adds information on mtDNA 10398A amongst Indian patient samples and healthy individuals. No significant group difference was found with respect to mtDNA G10398A. The positive association of allele G with higher BMI has potential clinical relevance that can be further investigated in larger samples.

Parental Perceptions Upon Receiving Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability for their Child in Nigeria

This study examined Nigerian parents’ perceptions upon receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or an Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) diagnosis for their child. Using a cross-sectional design, this study surveyed Nigerian parents via a questionnaire containing a modified version of the Family Interview Schedule (n = 247) to examine how parents experienced stigma, their knowledge about ASD/IDD, and their perceived cause of ASD/IDD. Descriptive statistics indicated that the majority of surveyed parents experienced stigma and believed that autism could be cured. Furthermore, results from a stepwise linear regression demonstrated that parents’ level of education significantly influenced their experiences of stigma, their choice of institutions for seeking initial help, their perception of the seriousness of the disorder, and the impact of others’ belief in the transmissibility of their child’s condition on child’s condition could be transmitted significantly affected their experiences of stigma. Results are discussed, and implications for policy, research, and practice are provided.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and specific learning disability co-occurring in a case with Silver-Russell syndrome

This case presentation discusses the management of comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific learning disability (SLD) in a female adolescent diagnosed with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS). A 13-year-old female patient presented to the child psychiatry outpatient clinic eight months ago with complaints of reading and writing difficulties and forgetfulness. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with SRS. Somatotropin therapy was initiated for the patient. Based on psychiatric examination, family interviews, psychometric assessments, and information obtained from school, the patient was diagnosed with ADHD and SLD. The patient was started on methylphenidate treatment, gradually titrated to a dose of 27 mg/day. She was also referred for special education for the SLD diagnosis. In the literature, it has been reported that in most children with SRS, intelligence is within the normal range, and they often receive diagnoses of ADHD and/or SLD. Studies have shown that although, executive function disorders are not significantly associated with SRS in comparison to control groups, there is an increased risk. Children and adolescents with this rare congenital disorder are at risk for psychiatric disorders, and periodic evaluation by a child psychiatrist is recommended.

Development and validation of a nomogram for suicide attempts in patients with first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder.

The risk of suicide can be decreased by accurately identifying high-risk suicide groups and implementing the right interventions. The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram for suicide attempts (SA) in patients with first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) major depressive disorder (MDD). This study undertook a cross-sectional analysis of 1,718 patients diagnosed with FEDN MDD, providing comprehensive clinical data from September 2016 to December 2018. Data on anthropometric and sociodemographic factors were gathered, and the severity of depression and anxiety was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), respectively. Additionally, thyroid hormone levels, lipid profile parameters, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Suicide attempt (SA) history was verified based on an amalgamation of medical records, patient interviews, and family interviews. Participants were randomly divided into a training group (70%, n = 1,204) and a validation group (30%, n = 514). In the training group, LASSO analysis and multivariate regression were used to identify variables associated with SA. A nomogram was then constructed using the identified risk factors to estimate the likelihood of SA within the training group. To assess the accuracy, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was utilized, and calibration plots were employed to evaluate calibration. Additionally, decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to assess the precision of the model. Finally, internal validation was carried out using the validation group. A practical nomogram has been successfully constructed, incorporating HAMD, HAMA, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) parameters, to estimate the probability of SA in Chinese patients diagnosed with FEDN MDD. The pooled area under the ROC for SA risk in both the training and validation groups was found to be 0.802 (95% CI: 0.771 to 0.832) and 0.821 (95% CI: 0.774 to 0.868), respectively. Calibration analysis revealed a satisfactory correlation between the nomogram probabilities and the actual observed probabilities. The clinical applicability of the nomogram was confirmed through decision curve analysis. To enhance accessibility for clinicians and researchers, an online version of the nomogram can be accessed at https://doctorjunjunliu.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp/. We constructed and validated a nomogram for the early detection of FEDN MDD patients with a high risk of SA, thereby contributing to the implementation of effective suicide prevention programs.

Use of Montessori Education for Therapeutic Purposes in Individuals with Special Needs

Introductıon. The main idea of Montessori Pedagogy and Montessori Therapy based on it is to contribute to the development of the child by accepting them with their own personality and providing special 'sensory development tools' and activities suitable for the child’s ‘structure plan’. Purpose. This study will focus on the therapeutic use of the Montessori method in infants and young children with special needs. Also, it is aimed to explain Montessori Therapy and its usage in the education of children with special needs in-depth and to evaluate the perspectives of parents of children with special needs on Montessori Therapy.Method. The research is a descriptive study and includes compiling information on Montessori therapy and the results of interviews conducted with the families of five children with special needs. The research data consists of a literature review and family interviews. Results. As a result of the research, parents of children with special needs stated that alternative preschool education (Montessori education) approaches for their children could be effective in helping children acquire basic life skills.Conclusion. Montessori principles such as individualized learning, manipulative materials, freedom and discipline, natural environment, and continuous observation can help maximize the potential of these children. However, every child is unique, and the therapy may need to be constantly adapted to be effective. Therefore, practitioners of Montessori therapy should carefully observe and assess the needs of the children, and continuously update themselves with current research and best practices.

Immunological Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Polyautoimmunity.

Autoimmunity can be the first or predominant manifestation in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorder, also referred to as inborn errors of immunity (IEI). This study aims to evaluate the immune status of pediatric patients with polyautoimmunity to identify those with underlying immune defects. In this cross-sectional study, pediatric patients with polyautoimmunity including at least one confirmed autoimmune endocrine disease were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a questionnaire based on medical records and direct family interviews. For each patient, a basic immunologic evaluation was performed. The clinical diagnosis was established according to the criteria of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID). Based on the presence or absence of a history of severe and/or recurrent infections, patients were divided into two groups for comparison. Thirty-nine patients, 18 males (46.2%) and 21 females (53.8%), were included. Fourteen patients (35.9%) had consanguineous parents. Fifteen patients (38.5%) had a history of severe and/or recurrent infections. The median (interquartile range: IQR) age of our patients at the time of evaluation was 11.1 (9-16) years. The median (IQR) age at the onset of infections and autoimmunities were 3 (1-10.8) and 5 (2.6-8) years, respectively. The most common infectious complications reported were pneumonia and candidiasis, each in 12.8% of the patients. The most prevalent autoimmune disorders were type 1 diabetes (74.3%) and autoimmune thyroiditis (58.9%). IEI was diagnosed in six patients (15.38%), five of which were from the group with severe or recurrent infections: three with selective IgA deficiency, two with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), and one with immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX), but without a history of infections. The occurrence of early onset polyautoimmunity in association with severe and/or recurrent infections or in patients with a positive family history should be a warning sign for physicians to initiate an evaluation for possible immunodeficiency disorders to prevent complications through early treatment.