Spectrum of psychosomatic disorder in children at the children hospital and the institute of child health Multan.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the Spectrum of Psychosomatic Disorders in Children Presenting to CH & ICH Multan. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional. Setting: Developmental- Behavioral Pediatric, Out Patient Department (OPD) at CH & ICH Multan. Period: September 2022 to September 2023. Methods: After informed consent of participants & approval of ethical committee, (306/22) total of 80 Patients, age group 5-15 years, of both genders were recruited in this study according to inclusion criteria. After detailed history and examination by Physician and Psychologist, evaluated the presenting complaints, underlying stress factors and consequences of these stressor in these children. The information was entered into pre-formed Performa. Data were analyzed through SPSS 21. Results: Total study participants were 80, male [59 (73.2%)] with male to female ratio of 1.3:1and age group 5-10years [62(76.8%)] were prominent. Most common presenting complaints were headache 80 (100%), dizziness 76 (95%), Fits like activity 78 (96%), limbs Pain 75 (87.6%), Pain Abdomen 72 (84%) & Nausea 58 (72%). These symptoms occur isolated or combination of two or more. Psychosomatic disorder found mainly in families with low Socioeconomic status 52 (64.5), & school attending students 68 (84%). Children who left school due to these stressors were 71 (88.8%). Other consequences were depression, low self-esteem and irritable behavior. Conclusion: Psychosomatic disorder is commonly present in children particularly in age group 5-10 years, male gender with headache as most common presentation. Pre dominant results are School dropout, Depression, Low Self-esteem & Irritable behavior.