Severe behavior disorders within Sturge-Weber Syndrome adimitted in child forensic psychiatric board. Case presentation
Severe behavior disorders within Sturge-Weber Syndrome adimitted in child forensic psychiatric board. Case presentation

Summary/Abstract: The Sturge-Webber syndrome is a rare genetic condition of the phacomatosis disorders group. Most of the symptoms are linked to nervous, circulatory and cutaneous system. Neuropsychiatric symptoms may be part of the clinical presentation but they are mostly represented by low to moderate cognitive and affective disruptions. Still, in Sturge-Webber children, familial, environmental and educational influences may impact the child’s development. This article will present the case of a 15-years old child, addressed by the authorities to the child forensic psychiatric board, after the family declared they are no longer able to control the violent behavior the child expresses. Giving the Sturge-Webber syndrome diagnostic, a proper analysis of discernment and the connection between the somatic disorder and behavioral disruptions should be investigated. Also, the child has been expelled from various educational institution due to severe aggressive manifestations towards teachers, authority and inside the peer group. Multiple organic, psychiatric and psychologic investigation revealed that the boy presented a violent defiant and oppositional behavior, with sadistic elements, with no apparent emotional drive, lacking real remorse and consideration for the true implications of his actions. Discernment was present although the organic pathology may be considered a substrate for the behavioral disorder. Still, the unemotional trait and severe violence seem to be unrelated to the somatic background. The legal and socio-educational implications are important in this case, as the child’s responsibility is being refused by educational institutions and the child’s family thus, the future social insertion and development prognosis, remains poor.

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