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Published on: June 20, 2014
[Mentality and behavior of children suffering from viral myocarditis]
Zhen-xian Wang1, Lan Xu, Yu-long Wang
1Department of Pediatrics, Second Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China.
Insights
Viral myocarditis significantly impacts children's mental health and behavior, leading to abnormal rates of behavioral issues in affected boys and girls. These changes correlate with age and illness severity, requiring greater clinical attention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Infectious Diseases
- Child Psychiatry
Context:
- Viral myocarditis is a serious cardiac condition in children.
- The psychological and behavioral sequelae of viral myocarditis are not well-understood.
- This study addresses the impact of viral myocarditis on child mental health.
Purpose:
- To investigate the influence of viral myocarditis on the mental behavior of children.
- To compare behavioral abnormalities in children with viral myocarditis versus controls.
Summary:
- 178 children with viral myocarditis and 104 controls (pneumonia/URI) were assessed using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
- Children with viral myocarditis exhibited significantly higher rates of abnormal mentality and behavior (P < 0.01).
- Specific behavioral issues included hypochondria, social difficulties, and physical complaints, varying between genders and correlating with age and illness severity.
Impact:
- Viral myocarditis has a demonstrable negative effect on children's psychological well-being.
- Findings highlight the need for integrated care addressing both physical and mental health in pediatric viral myocarditis.
- This research underscores the importance of early detection and intervention for behavioral changes in children with viral myocarditis.
Objective:
The present study was designed to investigate the influence of viral myocarditis on mental behavior of the children.
Methods:
Mentality and behavior of the 178 children suffering from viral myocarditis were examined with Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) edited by Gong Yao-xian in 1986 and 104 sex, age, education and achievement-matched children with pneumonia or upper respiratory infection were enrolled as controls.
Results:
The mentality and behavior of the children with viral myocarditis were distinctly abnormal. The abnormal rates of boys and girls suffering from acute and deferment viral myocarditis were evidently higher than those of control children (P < 0.01). The behavioral abnormalities of boys were hypochondria, social difficulties, unwell of body and attack. Whereas, the girls presented hypochondria, unwell of body, social flinch and disobeyed discipline, which was significantly different from the control children. The total and hypochondria cursory mark of the second check result of deferment boys were evidently higher than those of the first check (P < 0.05). The total cursory mark of the second check result of deferment girls was higher than that of the first check (P < 0.05) and evidently higher than that of the acute second check result (P < 0.01). The abnormal rates of mentality and behavior correlated positively with the age of children and they were associated with the severity of the illness.
Conclusion:
Viral myocarditis evidently affected the mentality and behavior of children, which should be paid great attention to.
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