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Asthma, allergy, and sinopulmonary disease in pediatric condition falsification
Kenneth W Feldman1, James W Stout, Andrew F Inglis
1University of Washington School of Medicine, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, USA.
Insights
Pediatric condition falsification (PCF) often involves exaggerating common childhood illnesses like asthma and allergies. Many children with PCF undergo unnecessary medical procedures and treatments due to these falsified complaints.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Child Psychology
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Pediatric condition falsification (PCF) is a recognized but underemphasized phenomenon.
- Common chronic childhood illnesses frequently involved include asthma, allergies, drug sensitivities, and sinopulmonary infections.
- Myringotomy tube insertion is a prevalent pediatric surgical procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of specific common pediatric conditions within a cohort of pediatric condition falsification victims.
- To analyze the association between PCF and conditions such as asthma, allergies, sinopulmonary infections, and otolaryngologic surgeries.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of a computer database.
- Inclusion of 104 pediatric condition falsification victims from 68 families.
- Data spanning from 1974 to 1998 was examined for the prevalence of targeted conditions.
Main Results:
- Over half of the children (50%) presented with exaggerated asthma or allergy complaints.
- Sinopulmonary infections were reported in 48% of cases, and drug sensitivities in 29%.
- A significant proportion (43%) underwent otolaryngologic surgery, with 68% having at least one of the studied conditions.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric condition falsification frequently involves the exaggeration of common pediatric illnesses and conditions.
- Children subjected to PCF experience unnecessary medical interventions and suffer consequences from falsified health complaints.
- Understanding the prevalence of these conditions in PCF is crucial for diagnosis and intervention.
Abstract:
Reports of pediatric condition falsification (PCF) have noted, but not emphasized, exaggerated complaints of real and common illnesses. Among the most frequent chronic childhood illnesses are asthma, allergy, drug sensitivity, and ear and sinopulmonary infections. The most common pediatric surgery is the insertion of myringotomy tubes. A computer database of 104 PCF victims from 68 families spanning from 1974 to 1998 was searched for the frequency of these conditions. Outright falsification or extreme exaggeration of severity of asthma or allergies was noted in 52 children (50%), sinopulmonary infections in 50 (48%), and drug reactions or sensitivities in 30 (29%). Forty-five children (43%) had otolaryngologic surgery, including ear tubes. In all, 71 children (68%) had at least one of these conditions. Associated victim and perpetrator characteristics are described. Children with PCF are not only subjected to induced illnesses and excessive medical diagnostic and therapeutic efforts but also victimized b) the consequences of false and exaggerated complaints of common pediatric diseases.