Behavioral disturbances in children after trauma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Childhood Trauma Studies
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Psychological effects of nonneurologic trauma in children are often overlooked.
• Existing research inadequately addresses the long-term behavioral consequences of physical injuries in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and nature of psychobehavioral dysfunction in children following physical trauma, with or without head injury.
• To compare the psychological sequelae of trauma in children to a control group undergoing non-traumatic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a two-stage assessment: a brief telephone survey followed by a detailed behavioral checklist.
• Studied three groups: children with trauma without head injury (n=40), children with trauma and minor head injury (n=40), and a control group after appendectomy (n=80).

Main Results:

• Significant behavioral disabilities, including phobias, scholastic difficulties, rage attacks, and depression, were identified in 35% of children without head injury and 28% with head injury.
• No behavioral dysfunction was observed in the control appendectomy group.
• Symptoms persisted for an average of 19 months, even in children who eventually recovered.

Conclusions:

• Physical trauma in children, irrespective of head injury, can lead to substantial and prolonged psychological and behavioral abnormalities.
• Parental assessment of behavioral dysfunction is a sensitive and specific screening tool for identifying affected children.
• The long-lasting psychological impact of childhood trauma is more prevalent than previously recognized.