Surgical procedures in children involve significant psychological traumatic stress leading to the development of psychologic distress and dysfunction after surgery. Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) ensues from negative medical experiences which is a trauma that can have a devastating effect on children and their families. Awareness and early identification are important to provide psychological intervention at the correct time.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of PMTS along with the associated surgical and psychosocial factors involved in pediatric surgical patients at our institute.

We included patients admitted to the pediatric surgery ward, for elective or emergency surgeries, and a three-point assessment was done. It was done pre-surgery, at 1 month for diagnosis of PMTS, and at 3 months for any spontaneous resolution. Along with we recorded data regarding surgical and psychosocial factors in play for each child.

A PMTS prevalence of 16.26% was seen in the age group of 1 to 7 years and 12.64% in 8 to 18 years on evaluation at 1 month after surgery. A significant association was calculated with factors like duration of surgery, duration of hospital stay, staged approach of surgery, malignancy or congenital anomalies, postoperative pain, postoperative complications, multiple admissions, creation of stoma, need for additional interventions on follow-up, parental anxiety, and socioeconomic status. A significant spontaneous resolution at 3 months was also noted.

With this study we can establish a significant prevalence of PMTS in pediatric patients undergoing surgery and the significantly associated determinants have been identified. The healthcare team as a whole can work toward reducing the risk of the development of PMTS, both in parents and children.

Level II.