As per the findings of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), June 5 edition, as many as 148,000 US children are affected by Tourette's syndrome - a neurological disorder characterized by recurring multiple motor spasms, and at least one vocal spasm. Oftentimes, some of the spasms, like repetitive, stereotypic movements or inappropriate vocalizations, can have a devastating affect on the children.

The MMWR study noted that not only does Tourette's afflict three out of every 1,000 US children, aged between 6 and 17 years, but is also three times more common in boys vis-à-vis girls, and nearly two times more common in children aged 12 to 17, than those aged 6 to 11 years.

To arrive at the conclusions of the study, the researchers evaluated data for 64,034 patients aged 6 to 17 years, courtesy the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.

According to the study, nearly 27 percent of the children afflicted with Tourette's have reported cases that are either moderate or severe; with 79 percent of those suffering from the disorder also having been diagnosed with at least one additional mental health or neurodevelopmental condition.

Talking about Tourette's, CDC's Dr. Rebecca Bitsko said that the condition is "linked to higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and impairments associated with these conditions, such as learning disabilities and problems with peer relations."