Long-term posttraumatic effects of intraoperative awareness in children

Abstract

Background: The consequences of intraoperative awareness in children have received little empirical attention to date. Previous studies suggest that children are less likely to be distressed than adults in the short term, but long-term consequences have only been studied retrospectively. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate posttraumatic stress symptoms in children who have experienced an awareness event. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, children who were found to have experienced intraoperative awareness in our previous study were approached for assessment for posttraumatic stress symptoms using the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (Alternate version; TSCC-A). Result..