Posttraumatic stress symptoms and medical procedures in children.
OBJECTIVE
To focus on posttraumatic stress symptoms after childhood diseases such as cancer, organ transplantation, and severe burns.


METHODS
Differential diagnoses, risk factors, and treatment aspects (psychological and pharmacological) are discussed.


RESULTS
The concept of adjustment problems in chronic or severe illnesses is widely used in pediatrics. Many aspects of severe childhood diseases are traumatic, as defined by the DSM-IV: severe illnesses are life-threatening, medical procedures threaten the child's physical integrity, and disorganized behaviour periods are common.


CONCLUSIONS
This concept, which remains insufficiently investigated, is a promising area of investigation for prospective and prevention studies.
Wintgens
A
A
Cognitive Psychophysiology and Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Hôpital Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal, Quebec.
Boileau
B
B
Robaey
P
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012803:Sick Role; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy