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Case study: possible traumatic stress disorder in an infant with cancer
1Department of Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
This case study highlights traumatic stress disorder in an infant with neuroblastoma. Symptoms aligned with diagnostic criteria, suggesting a need for further research in medically ill infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Child Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- The posttraumatic stress disorder model is increasingly recognized in pediatric cancer patients.
- Infants with serious medical conditions may experience significant psychological distress.
Observation:
- A 5-month-old infant diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 2 weeks of age presented with symptoms.
- The infant's presentation met the criteria for traumatic stress disorder in infants (ZERO TO THREE: Diagnostic Classification).
Findings:
- This case illustrates the applicability of traumatic stress disorder criteria to infants with severe medical diagnoses.
- The infant's symptoms suggest a significant psychological impact of the illness and its treatment.
Implications:
- This case warrants further clinical investigation into traumatic stress disorder in infants with serious medical illnesses.
- Future research should explore the long-term psychological outcomes and effective interventions for these infants.
Abstract:
The posttraumatic stress disorder model has been used to describe some children's experience with cancer. This article presents the case of a 5-month-old infant in whom a neuroblastoma was diagnosed at age 2 weeks. His symptoms at the time of the psychiatric consultation were consistent with the criteria for traumatic stress disorder in infants from the ZERO TO THREE: Diagnostic Classification. This case study invites future clinical and research queries about traumatic stress disorder in infants with serious medical illnesses.