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Published on: February 4, 2018
Somatic symptom disorder should be suspected in children with alleged chronic Lyme disease
Francesca Peri1, Daniela Nisticò2, Giuliana Morabito3
1University of Trieste, Piazzale Europa, 1, Via dell'Istria, 34127, Trieste, TS, Italy. francescaperi92@gmail.com.
Insights
Children diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease may actually have a somatic symptom disorder. This study suggests reconsidering diagnoses for pediatric patients with persistent physical symptoms and no clear medical cause.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Infectious Diseases
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Chronic Lyme disease diagnoses are rising in adults for unexplained physical complaints.
- Adults often receive a chronic Lyme diagnosis despite negative tests.
- This diagnosis is increasingly applied to pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for somatic symptom disorder in children diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease.
- To highlight the need for differential diagnosis in pediatric cases presenting with long-lasting physical symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A case series of seven children admitted to a pediatric ward was reviewed.
- Clinical features and medical history were analyzed for diagnostic indicators.
Main Results:
- Seven children with a prior chronic Lyme disease diagnosis presented with long-lasting physical symptoms.
- Their medical history and clinical presentation strongly suggested a psychopathological disorder.
- Somatic symptom disorder was identified as a primary consideration.
Conclusions:
- Somatic symptom disorder should be considered in children and adolescents with non-specific symptoms previously diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease.
- This highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis in pediatric psychosomatic presentations.
Abstract:
We report a case series of seven children admitted to a tertiary level pediatric ward for long-lasting physical symptoms with a previous diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease. In these children, medical history and clinical features were strongly suggestive of a psychopathological disorder, mainly a somatic symptom disorder. What is Known: • There is an increasing number of diagnoses of chronic Lyme disease both in North America and in Europe. Adults receive this diagnosis to explain chronic physical complaints often with negative history and serology. What is New: • Somatic symptom disorder should be suspected in children and adolescents with non-specific symptoms diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease.
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