New York, NY April 7, 2004 A study published in the April issue of The Journal of Pediatrics shows that the occurrence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) increases significantly in school-age children who experience extended stays in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following cardiac surgery.

The study, led by Dana Connolly, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine in collaboration with Michael Artman, M.D., Director of Pediatric Cardiology at New York University School of Medicine, is the first of its kind to examine the psychosocial responses of school-age children to cardiac surgery. Forty-three families participated in the study, which took place at New York University Medical Center and Children's Medical Center in Dallas. The children from five-to- twelve years of age underwent cardiac surgery for congenital heart defects. Each child was evaluated pre- and post-operatively for PTSD using tools that determine anxiety disorders, nonverbal reasoning, and temperament. None of the children showed signs of PTSD before surgery.

During the post-surgical assessment, researchers found that characteristics of PTSD increased in children who stayed in the ICU for more than 48 hours after surgery. After hospitalization, five (12%) of the children met diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and five (12%) exhibited some of the characteristics of PTSD, including disorganized behavior, nightmares, sleep disorders, and concentration problems. Children exhibiting signs of PTSD were referred to pediatric psychiatrists for further evaluation.

"It's important for parents to look for behavioral changes such as bed wetting, night screams, clinging, and concentration problems once the child comes home from surgery," says Dr. Connolly. Despite efforts to minimize the stress and emotional trauma that can be associated with heart surgery for children and their families, the study showed, fo
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Contact: Deborah Coble
deborah.coble@med.nyu.edu
212-404-3522
New York University Medical Center and School of Medicine
7-Apr-2004

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