title: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in pre-schoolers: A report of two cases.
abstract: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) presents unique challenges in toddlers and pre-schoolers as there are difficulties in assessment and overshadowing by comorbid illnesses. We present case descriptions of two pre-schoolers with developmental manifestations of the PTSD symptoms of intrusion, avoidance and alteration in arousal and reactivity following penetrative sexual abuse. These symptoms caused significant impairment and required a combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic intervention. This case report facilitates recognition of the disorder in preverbal and early verbal children and suggestions on management of PTSD in pre-schoolers are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, Coimbatore-641037, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: bsowmya1984@hotmail.com.
authors.lastname: Sowmya Bhaskaran T S
authors.affiliation: Akal College of Nursing, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Achla Dagdu
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Gaikwad
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore-29, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Chaithra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chandrakanth
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore-29, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Shekhar P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Seshadri
mesh_terms: D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Children; PTSD; Pre-schoolers; Sexual abuse; Treatment