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Stomachaches and headaches in a community sample of preschool children
Insights
Maternal depression and marital issues are linked to recurrent stomachaches and headaches in preschoolers. These children also exhibited more behavioral problems, highlighting the impact of maternal well-being on childhood symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Epidemiology
- Child Psychology
- Maternal Mental Health
Background:
- Recurrent stomachaches and headaches are common in preschool children.
- The relationship between these symptoms and maternal psychosocial factors requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of recurrent stomachaches and headaches in preschool children.
- To identify associated maternal psychosocial factors and child behavioral problems.
Main Methods:
- A community sample of 308 preschool children was studied.
- Maternal interviews at age 3 assessed child symptoms, maternal depression, marital problems, and maternal health.
- Prospective data on infant bowel difficulties and behavior problems were collected.
Main Results:
- 9% of children had recurrent stomachaches; 3% had recurrent headaches.
- Recurrent stomachaches were associated with maternal depression, marital problems, and poor maternal health.
- Maternal depression remained a significant factor for stomachaches even when maternal health was controlled.
- Recurrent headaches were solely associated with maternal depression.
- Children with these symptoms were more likely to have behavior problems.
Conclusions:
- Maternal psychosocial factors, particularly depression, are significantly associated with recurrent stomachaches and headaches in young children.
- These childhood symptoms may indicate underlying psychosocial distress and are linked to behavioral issues.
- Early identification and support for maternal well-being may be crucial for addressing these common pediatric complaints.
Abstract:
The epidemiology of recurrent stomachache and headache was studied in a community sample of 308 preschool children, most of whom were white. When the children were 3 years old, interviews with their mothers indicated that 3% had recurrent headaches and 9% had recurrent stomachaches. Children with recurrent stomachaches were more likely than those without recurrent stomachaches to have mothers who were emotionally depressed (P less than .01), had marital problems (P less than .05), and perceived their own health as poor (P less than .05). When maternal poor health was controlled, depression was still associated with their children having stomachaches (P less than .05). Prospectively collected data demonstrate that children with recurrent stomachaches did not have bowel difficulties when they were infants. Other psychosocial stresses and demographic factors were not associated with stomachaches. The only variable associated with recurrent headache was maternal depression. Children with recurrent headaches or stomachaches were more likely to have behavior problems, as measured by the Behavior Screening Questionnaire, than were children without these symptoms. The analysis presents new data on these common symptoms of childhood.
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