Abstract

Paediatric Medical Traumatic Stress: Prevalence, Risk, and Prevention

Author(s)

Robyne Le Brocque -Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine

Prof justin Kenardy -CONROD

Paediatric medical traumatic stress is a term used to describe a set of psychological and physiological responses of children and their families to pain, injury, medical procedures, and invasive or frightening treatment experiences. Many aspects of illness and injury are stressful and may be painful or difficult to deal with and may place strain on an individual's and family's coping resources. However some aspects are potentially traumatic and are extremely frightening or horrifying for the child and their parent, are potentially life-threatening and can be sudden, painful, or overwhelming.

This paper explores the prevalence, risk, and prevention of paediatric medical traumatic stress in children and their parents presenting data from a number of Australian and international paediatric studies including accidental injury and admission to hospital, oncology, and head injury. Perceptions of what is traumatic in children and their parents are compared. Diagnostic criteria for post traumatic stress for children is presented and discussed in relation to proposed changes for the DSM-V.

Current literature and statistics on the prevalence of PTSD and associated symptoms in children and their parents following medical trauma are presented. Risk factors for the development of post traumatic stress and the course of symptoms are also explored using latest data. Advances in the early detection and treatment of post traumatic stress symptoms in the paediatric population within the family context are also discussed.