Investigation of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Children After Animal-Induced Injury in China

OBJECTIVE: Dogs are important members of many families in many countries. However, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after animal attacks has always been underestimated, and a more-detailed study of PTSD in children after animal attacks is needed.

METHODS: The charts and follow-up data for 358 children after animal-induced injuries were reviewed. Family Apgar Scale assessment and PTSD screening were performed at emergency department admission. On week 1 after the emergency department admission, the patient underwent evaluation for acute stress disorder (ASD) diagnosis, by using the Child Acute Stress Questionnaire. PTSD screening and interim history-taking were performed 3 months after the emergency department admission, by telephone or in face-to-face interviews, by using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents. P values of <.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS: A total of 19 patients developed PTSD, including 10 patients with severe injuries, 8 patients with moderate injuries, and 1 patient with a mild injury (χ²=48.104; P=.000). No significant differences in PTSD occurrence according to gender and age were observed. Family Apgar Scale scores were not significantly related to PTSD (P=.781). ASD and PTSD symptom severity scores were significantly associated (r=0.51; P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS: Child victims of severe animal attacks should be considered at risk for the development of PTSD, family support was not correlated with posttraumatic stress symptoms in school-aged children after animal attacks, and ASD seems to be an early predictive indicator of PTSD.