title: Psychoneuroimmunology and the pediatric surgeon.
abstract: The mind-body connection is receiving increasing scrutiny in a large number of clinical settings, although research has lagged in the pediatric specialties. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a novel interdisciplinary scientific field that examines the relationship of the mind to the patient's neurologic, endocrine, and immune systems by examining critical parameters such as the effects of mental stress on wound healing and infection rates. Techniques that modify a patient's emotional and mental responses to illness and surgery have positive effects on their physiology resulting in improved recoveries and higher patient satisfaction rates. In the appropriate clinical settings, an awareness of PNI can enhance outcomes for pediatric surgical patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, 11175 Campus St, CP21111, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA. etagge@llu.edu
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Tagge
authors.forename: Elizabeth Lee
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Dustin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leek
authors.forename: Cameron L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Neece
authors.forename: Kiti Freier
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Randall
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies / Q000523:psychology*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology / Q000379:methods*; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Adverse childhood events; Integrative medicine; Mind–body medicine; Psychoneuroimmunology; Stress; Wound healing