Investigation of posttraumatic stress disorder in children after animal-induced injury in China.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Dogs are important members of many families in many countries. However, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after animal attacks has always been underestimated, and a more-detailed study of PTSD in children after animal attacks is needed.

METHODS:

The charts and follow-up data for 358 children after animal-induced injuries were reviewed. Family Apgar Scale assessment and PTSD screening were performed at emergency department admission. On week 1 after the emergency department admission, the patient underwent evaluation for acute stress disorder (ASD) diagnosis, by using the Child Acute Stress Questionnaire. PTSD screening and interim history-taking were performed 3 months after the emergency department admission, by telephone or in face-to-face interviews, by using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents. P values of <.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS:

A total of 19 patients developed PTSD, including 10 patients with severe injuries, 8 patients with moderate injuries, and 1 patient with a mild injury (chi(2)=48.104; P=.000). No significant differences in PTSD occurrence according to gender and age were observed. Family Apgar Scale scores were not significantly related to PTSD (P=.781). ASD and PTSD symptom severity scores were significantly associated (r=0.51; P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS:

Child victims of severe animal attacks should be considered at risk for the development of PTSD, family support was not correlated with posttraumatic stress symptoms in school-aged children after animal attacks, and ASD seems to be an early predictive indicator of PTSD.

• Authors: Li Ji, Zhang Xiaowei, Wang Chuanlin, Liu Wei
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 126 Issue 2 Pg. e320-4 (Aug 2010) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20624805 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Animals
• Bites and Stings (psychology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• China (epidemiology)
• Dogs
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Severity of Illness Index
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology)
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires