Psychobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder in pediatric injury patients: a review of the literature.
Research suggests that about a quarter to a third of children with traffic-related injuries develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early symptoms of PTSD have been found to predict poor mental and physical outcome in studies of medically injured children. However, these symptoms are rarely recognized by physicians who provide emergency care for these children. In addition, there is insufficient knowledge about predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms in this specific pediatric population. Early identification of those children at particular risk is needed to target preventive interventions appropriately. After some introducing remarks on the classification and the nature of posttraumatic stress reactions, current research findings on psychological and biological correlates of PTSD in pediatric injury patients are presented. The particular focus in this paper is on the neurobiological mechanisms that influence psychological responses to extreme stress and the development of PTSD. Continued study of the psychobiology of trauma and PTSD in pediatric injury patients, both in terms of neurobiology and treatment is needed.
Langeland
Willie
W
Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychological Trauma, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. gjwil.langdijk@wanadoo.fr
Olff
Miranda
M
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008016:Life Change Events; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology