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Psychiatric adjustment following meningococcal disease treated on a PICU
Deborah Judge1, Simon Nadel, Stephanie Vergnaud
1Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College School of Medicine, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, Institution: St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
Child survivors of meningococcal disease and their mothers experience significant psychological distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in children, with mothers also showing high rates of psychiatric risk and PTSD symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- Child Psychiatry
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Meningococcal disease is a serious infection requiring intensive care.
- Long-term psychological sequelae in survivors are not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the psychiatric status of children who survived meningococcal disease.
- To evaluate the psychological impact on their mothers.
Main Methods:
- Home interviews were conducted with 29 child survivors (aged 2-15) and their mothers.
- Follow-up occurred between 3-12 months post-discharge.
- Psychiatric risk and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed using questionnaires.
Main Results:
- 20% of children exhibited psychiatric disorders.
- 62% of children had PTSD symptoms; 10% met criteria for a stress disorder.
- 40% of mothers had increased psychiatric risk, 48% had significant PTSD symptoms, and 29% sought psychological help.
- Maternal stress correlated with disease severity in their child.
Conclusions:
- Children surviving meningococcal disease face substantial psychological challenges.
- Mothers of these survivors also experience significant psychological distress.
- Intervention for psychological stress in both children and parents is warranted.
Objective:
To describe the psychiatric status of child survivors of meningococcal disease and their mothers.
Design And Setting:
Home interviews with 3-12 month follow-up.PATIENTS. 29 children aged 2-15 years admitted to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with meningococcal disease.
Measurements And Results:
Questionnaires to assess psychiatric risk in children and parents. We found an overall risk for child psychiatric disorder in 20%. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were present in 62% of children, and 10% had the features of a stress disorder. In 40% of mothers there was an increased risk for psychiatric disorder, 48% experienced clinically significant PTSD symptoms, and 29% were seeking psychological help. Maternal stress symptoms were significantly associated with severity of their child's illness.
Conclusions:
A significant proportion of children surviving meningococcal disease and their parents are likely to suffer psychological stress symptoms to a degree that warrants attention.