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Prospective study of post-traumatic stress disorder in children involved in road traffic accidents
P Stallard1, R Velleman, S Baldwin
1Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Bath Mental Health Care Trust, Royal United Hospital, Bath BA1 3NG. stallard_p@bath-mhct.swest.nhs.uk
Insights
One in three children involved in road traffic accidents develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study highlights the significant psychological distress children face after accidents, often without recognition or help.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Road traffic accidents are a common cause of injury in children.
- Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can result from such events.
- The prevalence of PTSD in children following road traffic accidents requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children involved in road traffic accidents.
- To compare PTSD rates in children who experienced road traffic accidents versus sports injuries.
- To identify factors associated with PTSD development in pediatric accident victims.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month prospective study was conducted.
- 119 children (aged 5-18) involved in road traffic accidents and 66 children with sports injuries were recruited from an accident and emergency department.
- Diagnostic criteria for PTSD and psychological distress were assessed.
Main Results:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was diagnosed in 34.5% of children involved in road traffic accidents, compared to 3.0% of those with sports injuries.
- PTSD was significantly associated with female sex, prior trauma exposure, and perceived threat to life, but not with accident type, age, or injury severity.
- No children received psychological support at the time of assessment.
Conclusions:
- Approximately one-third of children involved in road traffic accidents develop PTSD within six weeks of the event.
- The psychological needs of children experiencing road traffic accidents are frequently overlooked.
- Early identification and intervention for PTSD in pediatric accident survivors are crucial.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of severe psychological trauma --that is, post-traumatic stress disorder--in children involved in everyday road traffic accidents.
Design:
12 month prospective study.
Setting:
Accident and emergency department, Royal United Hospital, Bath.
Subjects:
119 children aged 5-18 years involved in road traffic accidents and 66 children who sustained sports injuries.
Main Outcome Measure:
Presence of appreciable psychological distress; fulfillment of diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Results:
Post-traumatic stress disorder was found in 41 (34.5%) children involved in road traffic accidents but only two (3.0%) who sustained sports injuries. The presence of post-traumatic stress disorder was not related to the type of accident, age of the child, or the nature of injuries but was significantly associated with sex, previous experience of trauma, and subjective appraisal of threat to life. None of the children had received any psychological help at the time of assessment.
Conclusions:
One in three children involved in road traffic accidents was found to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder when they were assessed 6 weeks after their accident. The psychological needs of such children after such accidents remain largely unrecognised.