title: Incidence and 12-month outcome of non-transient childhood conversion disorder in the U.K. and Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about conversion disorder in childhood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To document clinical incidence, features, management and 12-month outcome of non-transient conversion disorder in under 16-year-olds in the U.K. and Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveillance through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 204 cases (age range 7-15 years) were reported, giving a 12-month incidence of 1.30/100 000 (95% CI 1.11-1.52). The most common symptoms were motor weakness and abnormal movements. Presentation with multiple symptoms was the norm. Antecedent stressors were reported for 80.8%, most commonly bullying in school. Most children required in-patient admission with frequent medical investigations. Follow-up at 12 months was available for 147 children, when all conversion disorder symptoms were reported as improved. Most families (91%) accepted a non-medical explanation of the symptoms either fully or partially.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Childhood conversion disorder represents an infrequent but significant clinical burden in the UK and Ireland.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK. c.ani@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ani
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reading
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forlee
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garralda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology