The transfer process from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services for patients with childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders: first case-control study from Turkiye

Background The transfer from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult mental health services (AMHS) can be challenging, particularly for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) requiring long-term follow-up. Aims To examine the transfer process from CAMHS to AMHS in a university hospital in Turkiye, focusing on challenges, service gaps and barriers to transfer for individuals with NDDs. Method Hospital records of children with NDDs followed in CAMHS for at least 5 years were reviewed. Children with at least one annual admission until 2017-2018 were included. A total of 211 patients were categorised into two groups: those who transferred to AMHS by 2018-2019 (transferred group, 81 patients) and those who did not transfer (non-transferred group, 130 patients). Clinical features, such as primary diagnosis and treatments, were compared, and parental views on the transfer process were collected via telephone interviews. Results The transferred group included 81 patients (38.4%), whereas the non-transferred group had 130 patients (61.6%). Of the total sample, 55 (26.1%) were female, and 156 (73.9%) were male. Primary diagnoses were similar between groups; however, the transferred group had more comorbidities (P < 0.001) and more frequent antipsychotic prescriptions (P = 0.006). Proactive information from CAMHS doctors (B = 2.46, s.e. = 0.68, P < 0.001) and psychiatric comorbidities predicted transfer. In addition, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses changed during transfer in the transferred group (P = 0.002). Conclusion These findings emphasise the need for tailored transition support to enhance mental healthcare for NDD patients and indicate areas where further research is required to address healthcare barriers.