Psychiatric adjustment following meningococcal disease treated on a PICU.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the psychiatric status of child survivors of meningococcal disease and their mothers.


METHODS
Home interviews with 3-12 month follow-up.PATIENTS. 29 children aged 2-15 years admitted to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with meningococcal disease.


RESULTS
Questionnaires to assess psychiatric risk in children and parents. We found an overall risk for child psychiatric disorder in 20%. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were present in 62% of children, and 10% had the features of a stress disorder. In 40% of mothers there was an increased risk for psychiatric disorder, 48% experienced clinically significant PTSD symptoms, and 29% were seeking psychological help. Maternal stress symptoms were significantly associated with severity of their child's illness.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of children surviving meningococcal disease and their parents are likely to suffer psychological stress symptoms to a degree that warrants attention.
Judge
Deborah
D
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College School of Medicine, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, Institution: St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Nadel
Simon
S
Vergnaud
Stephanie
S
Garralda
M Elena
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology