Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

2.9K

Is surgery a risk factor for separation anxiety in children?

Muhammet Emin Naldan1, Ali Karayagmurlu2, Elif Oral Ahıskalıoglu3

  • 1Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, University of Health Sciences, Erzurum Education and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey. muhammetnaldan@gmail.com.

Pediatric Surgery International
|May 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Postoperative anxiety symptoms, specifically separation anxiety disorder (SAD), were prevalent in children undergoing surgery. SAD increased significantly three months after surgery, correlating with hospitalization duration and parental education.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Child Psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders

Background:

  • Postoperative anxiety is a significant concern for children and their families.
  • Understanding the prevalence and trajectory of anxiety symptoms after surgery is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of postoperative anxiety symptoms in children undergoing surgical procedures.
  • To assess the incidence of separation anxiety disorder (SAD) at different postoperative time points.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 60 children (aged 6-12) undergoing surgery was studied.
  • Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms were assessed using the K-SADS-PL based on DSM-IV criteria at presentation, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.
  • Data on demographics, hospitalization duration, and parental education were collected.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of SAD diagnostic criteria increased from 6.6% at presentation to 21.6% at 1 month and 35.0% at 3 months postoperatively.
  • Anxiety disorder symptoms were significantly higher at 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05).
  • SAD symptoms showed a significant positive correlation with the duration of hospitalization and parental education level.

Conclusions:

  • Children undergoing surgery exhibit increased separation anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms postoperatively.
  • Physicians should consider SAD in pediatric surgical patients, particularly with longer hospital stays and higher parental education.
  • Persistent SAD post-surgery can lead to long-term psychological issues and reduced quality of life.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildOperationPostoperative anxietySeparation anxietySurgery

More Related Videos

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

9.5K
Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance08:17

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Published on: July 19, 2017

8.2K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.8K
Anxiety: Overview01:18

Anxiety: Overview

Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
1.1K
Generalized Anxiety Disorder01:30

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
742
Social Anxiety Disorder01:28

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
547
Relative Risk01:12

Relative Risk

Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
2.2K
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.9K