What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case-Control. Population: Mitral valve prolapse (n=125). Intervention: Mitral valve prolapse vs. Healthy controls. Primary outcome: Prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorder (p=<0.001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of separation anxiety disorder in youth with mitral valve prolapse and its associations with parental attitudes and anxiety sensitivity.

June 4, 2026

Separation Anxiety Disorder in Youth With Mitral Valve Prolapse: Associations With Parental Attitudes and Anxiety Sensitivity

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Youth with mitral valve prolapse had a significantly higher prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorder compared to healthy controls (p<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of separation anxiety disorder in youth with mitral valve prolapse and its associations with parental attitudes and anxiety sensitivity.

Key Result

Youth with mitral valve prolapse had a significantly higher prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorder compared to healthy controls (p<0.001).

Key Points

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of separation anxiety disorder in youth with mitral valve prolapse and its associations with parental attitudes and anxiety sensitivity.
Sixty-five youth with mitral valve prolapse and 60 age-matched healthy controls participated.
Structured evaluations were conducted to establish diagnoses and assess symptoms.
Validated scales measured separation anxiety symptoms, parental attitudes, and anxiety sensitivity.
Separation anxiety disorder prevalence was significantly higher in the mitral valve prolapse group (p < 0.001).
Parents of MVP youth exhibited higher levels of overprotection.
Physical anxiety sensitivity was the only independent predictor of separation anxiety severity.

Study Design

Type

Case-Control (n=125)

Structured PICO

Does mitral valve prolapse increase the prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorder in youth compared to healthy controls?

Population

125 youth (ages 7-18 years), comprising 65 with mitral valve prolapse and 60 age-matched healthy controls, evaluated for separation anxiety disorder.

Comparator

Age-matched healthy controls

Outcome

Prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorderpatient reported

Youth with mitral valve prolapse have a higher prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorder, highlighting the potential benefit of integrating mental health assessments into routine pediatric cardiology care.

Main Result

p-value: p=<0.001

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is generally benign in youth but is often accompanied by somatic sensations that resemble anxiety symptoms. This study examined the prevalence and severity of separation anxiety disorder in children and adolescents with MVP and explored associations with parental attitudes and anxiety sensitivity (AS). Methods: Sixty-five youth with MVP (ages 7–18 years) and 60 age-matched healthy controls underwent structured cardiologic and mental health evaluation. Diagnoses were established using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia–Present and Lifetime Version. Validated scales assessed separation anxiety symptoms, parental attitudes, and AS. Results: Separation anxiety disorder prevalence and symptom severity were significantly higher in the MVP group than in controls ( p < 0.001). Parents of children with MVP reported higher levels of overprotection. AS did not differ significantly between groups. Mitral regurgitation jet length correlated positively with physical AS ( p = 0.043) and negatively with perceived maternal emotional warmth ( p = 0.026). In a parsimonious multivariable model, only physical AS independently predicted separation anxiety severity. Conclusion: Youth with MVP exhibit elevated separation anxiety, suggesting that somatic cues linked to benign cardiac findings may interface with family context to increase separation-related vulnerability. Integrating mental health assessment into routine pediatric cardiology care may facilitate early identification and intervention.

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