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Long-term posttraumatic effects of intraoperative awareness in children
Lauren Phelan1, Robyn Stargatt, Andrew J Davidson
1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
Insights
This study found no children exhibited significant trauma symptoms after intraoperative awareness. However, small sample sizes limit conclusions on long-term posttraumatic stress disorder in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Limited empirical research exists on the long-term effects of intraoperative awareness in children.
- Previous studies suggest children experience less short-term distress than adults, but long-term consequences are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate posttraumatic stress symptoms in children following an intraoperative awareness event.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study assessed children previously identified with intraoperative awareness.
- The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (Alternate version; TSCC-A) was used for symptom assessment.
- Interviews were conducted via telephone with participating families.
Main Results:
- Seven children in the original cohort experienced awareness; only four families participated.
- Only one child recalled the awareness event.
- No participating children showed clinically significant trauma-related symptoms.
Conclusions:
- While no clinically significant symptoms were observed, the study's small sample size and incomplete follow-up restrict definitive conclusions.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to determine the true incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder after pediatric intraoperative awareness.
Background:
The consequences of intraoperative awareness in children have received little empirical attention to date. Previous studies suggest that children are less likely to be distressed than adults in the short term, but long-term consequences have only been studied retrospectively.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to investigate posttraumatic stress symptoms in children who have experienced an awareness event.
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, children who were found to have experienced intraoperative awareness in our previous study were approached for assessment for posttraumatic stress symptoms using the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (Alternate version; TSCC-A).
Results:
Seven children were aware in the original cohort. Only four families agreed to participate and were interviewed via telephone. Only one child recalled the awareness event. No children exhibited trauma related symptoms in the clinically significant range.
Conclusions:
Although no children had clinically significant symptoms, the small numbers and failure to follow-up all children limit any conclusions with respect to true incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder in children who have had an awareness event.
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