Parental reports of somatic symptoms in preschool children: prevalence and associations in a Spanish sample.
OBJECTIVE
To document prevalence and associations of somatic symptoms in Spanish preschool children.


METHODS
Subjects were 3- to 5-year-olds attending nurseries (8 urban, 30 rural). Parental questionnaires (response rate 77%) were used to inquire about somatic symptoms in the child in the 2 weeks prior to assessment, about preschool absence and pediatric help-seeking, chronic family health problems, and recent stressful life events for the child. Parents completed questionnaires on child psychopathology (Early Childhood Inventory 4) and their own mental health (General Health Questionnaire). Children who were reported as complaining of symptoms frequently (four or more times) were compared to noncomplaining children.


RESULTS
Parents reported that 452 of the 807 (56%) children complained of somatic symptoms at least once, significantly more so in urban than in rural areas. Frequent somatic complaints were reported for 165 of the 807 (20%) (abdominal pains 7.9%, tiredness 5.7%, leg pains 4%, headaches 2%, dizziness 0.4%). There were significant associations of frequent symptom reporting with days off preschool and pediatric clinic attendance, with emotional and behavioral symptoms in children, mental distress in parents, and urban abode.


CONCLUSIONS
Somatic symptoms are common in preschool children. Results point to family influences.
Domènech-Llaberia
Edelmira
E
Department of Health Psychology and Social Psychology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. edelmira.domenech@uab.es
Jané
Claustre
C
Canals
Josepa
J
Ballespí
Sergi
S
Esparó
Griselda
G
Garralda
Elena
E
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires