Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College | 2026
Authors: Khursheed M.H.; Rasheed J.; Sheikh M.A.; Ali P.
DOI: 10.37939/jrmc.v30i1.3078
Journal: Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College
Year: 2026
Publisher: Rawalpindi Medical University
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of habit disorders in children visiting a paediatric outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pediatric Medicine Department of the CH & ICH, Multan, from June 24 to September 23, 2025. Two hundred children aged 1–12 years, of either sex, attending the outpatient department were consecutively enrolled after informed parental consent was obtained. Children with neurological and psychiatric disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy) were excluded. Demographic data were recorded, and parents were asked about habit disorders: thumb sucking, nail biting, bruxism, and hair pulling. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics in the form of mean ± SD for numerical data and frequency percentages for categorical data are described. Results: The mean age was 4.8 ± 2.2 years, and 67.5% were males. Lack of maternal formal education was observed in 53% of the cases, and 32.5% had a positive family history of habit disorders. Most children belonged to a lower-middle socioeconomic status (72%). Habit disorders were identified in 30% of the children. Bruxism was the most common (11.5%), followed by thumb sucking (7.5%). Habit disorders were significantly more common in children ≥ 5 years of age than in those < 5 years of age (38.1% vs. 22.3%, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Habit disorders affect nearly one-third of children in this population, with bruxism being the most common. Screening during routine periodic visits may facilitate early identification and provide parental counselling. © 2026 Khursheed et al.
Behaviour; Bruxism; Children; Habits