Prevalence

Traumatic stress reactions to medical events are common in the initial period after an injury, a scary new diagnosis, or a difficult event.

Research with families experiencing pediatric injury, cancer, or a stay in the ICU has consistently shown very high percentages (often more than 80%) of children and parents reporting at least one severe acute traumatic stress reaction within the first month.

• Up to 80% of ill or injured children, and their families report experiencing some traumatic stress reactions following a life-threatening illness, injury or painful medical procedure (Winston, et al. 2002).
• Between 20 – 30 % of parents and 15 – 25% of children and siblings experience persistent traumatic stress reactions that impair daily functioning and affect treatment adherence and recovery (Bruce, 2006; O'Donnell et al. 2003).

Click here for a summary of research on the prevalence of pediatric medical traumatic stress

Not all of these acute stress reactions are impairing. Some may be part of the emotional recovery process. For example, in the first few weeks after a difficult or frightening medical event, thinking a lot about what happened (even when the thoughts are distressing) may help the individual to process the experience and put it into perspective.

However, for some children and families, these reactions can be extremely distressing. And when they persist, traumatic stress reactions may become disruptive to a child's or parent’s everyday functioning and may warrant further attention.

Whenever providers or parents have any serious concerns about a child’s ability to cope with illness or injury, or about emotional and behavioral changes that occur in connection with a medical event, careful assessment of the child, in consultation with an experienced mental health professional, is key. Click here for information on referrals for mental health assessment or treatment.