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Peritoneal dialysis treatment in children and parental stress
G M Hulstijn-Dirkmaat1, E H Damhuis
1Department of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Parents of children undergoing dialysis experience significant stress, particularly those with older children or failed transplants. Psychological factors, not medical ones, drive this burden, highlighting the need for family support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Child Psychology
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Parental stress impacts child's medical treatment and psychological development.
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is a common treatment for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify families at risk of high stress during a child's dialysis treatment.
- Understand the nature and sources of parental stress.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed parents of 14 pediatric CAPD patients three times over one year.
- Assessed stress levels and contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in stress levels among families.
- Parents of older children (>5 years) and those with failed transplants reported higher stress.
- Psychological concerns, especially future worries, were greater stressors than medical issues.
Conclusions:
- Certain families face higher risks of stress related to pediatric dialysis.
- Emotional and practical support are crucial for at-risk families.
- Addressing psychological aspects of care is vital for child and family well-being.
Abstract:
The burden placed on the parents of a child in dialysis treatment can induce negative effects on the medical treatment and on the psychological development of the child. To identify which families are at risk, both parents of 14 out of 16 eligible patients in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) answered an extensive questionnaire three times during one year. Large differences were found between the families with regard to the amount of stress experienced. Parents of older children (> 5 years) (and particularly parents of children with a failed transplantation) experienced significantly more stress. The nature of the stress was determined more by the psychological aspects than by the medical aspects of the treatment. Concern about the future contributed most to the stress experienced. Therefore, emotional support as well as practical help for families at risk is recommended.