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Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child prescribed long-term opioids and benzodiazepines

Deepa Kattail1, Anne Niec2

  • 1Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Opioid Management
|April 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child (CFIC) can lead to harmful treatments. This case highlights CFIC

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Child Psychology
  • Medical Ethics

Background:

  • Pediatric pain management has improved with increased analgesic prescribing.
  • This positive trend may inadvertently mask or exacerbate harms in specific cases.
  • Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child (CFIC) presents a diagnostic challenge.

Observation:

  • A case is presented where CFIC was associated with prolonged prescriptions.
  • The child received long-term central nervous system depressants, including opioids and benzodiazepines.
  • This highlights a potential consequence of undiagnosed CFIC.

Findings:

  • CFIC can lead to unnecessary and harmful medical interventions.
  • Increased analgesic use in children requires careful consideration of underlying causes.
  • Undiagnosed CFIC may result in inappropriate, long-term medication regimens.

Implications:

  • Healthcare providers must consider CFIC in unexplained pediatric symptoms.
  • Improved diagnostic strategies are needed to identify CFIC early.
  • This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to pediatric pain and symptom assessment.

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