1 1936 Amelia Court, Dallas, TX 75235
To the Editor.
The statement on missing children by the Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption, and Dependent Care (Pediatrics 1986;78:370-372) is helpful in defining the role of the pediatrician in dealing with this tragic situation. It did not, however, address a secondary problem that is now being seen.
One result of the extensive media attention and public awareness of the problem of missing children is a heightened level of anxiety in the kids themselves. Some children are fearful to go outdoors, even in their own familiar neighborhoods.