Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
08:25

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

1.3K

Post-traumatic stress after PICU and corticosteroid use

Georgina Corbet Burcher1, Maria D Picouto2, Lorraine C Als1

  • 1Centre for Psychiatry, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|November 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Corticosteroid use in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) may reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children with sepsis. This study also observed a trend towards lower cortisol levels in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission can lead to long-term psychological distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • The role of corticosteroid administration during critical illness in mitigating subsequent PTSD symptoms in children remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between corticosteroid use in the PICU and the development of PTSD symptoms in children.
  • To explore the relationship between corticosteroid use, PTSD symptoms, and cortisol levels post-PICU discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Children aged 8-16 admitted to the PICU with conditions such as sepsis and meningoencephalitis were included.
  • PTSD symptoms were assessed 3-6 months post-discharge using the eight-item Impact of Events Scale (IES-8).
  • Salivary cortisol profiles were analyzed to assess physiological stress responses.

Main Results:

  • Corticosteroid use was significantly associated with lower PTSD intrusion symptom scores in children with sepsis (n=15).
  • A trend suggested an association between corticosteroid use and lower evening cortisol levels in children with sepsis.
  • Similar but weaker trends were observed in children with meningoencephalitis.

Conclusions:

  • Corticosteroid administration in the PICU may be linked to a reduction in PTSD symptoms in children, particularly those with sepsis.
  • The findings suggest a potential neuroendocrine protective effect of corticosteroids against PTSD development after critical illness.
Abstract

Keywords:
childcorticosteroidspaediatric intensive carepost-traumatic stress disorderptsd

More Related Videos

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss09:44

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Published on: January 25, 2016

19.8K

Related Concept Videos

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
603
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
1.6K
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
864
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
1.0K
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
668
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
591