@article{ref1,
title="Clinical Profile of Somatoform Disorders in Children",
journal="Indian journal of pediatrics",
year="2011",
author="Gupta, Vineeta and Singh, Aparna and Upadhyay, Shashi and Bhatia, Baldev",
volume="78",
number="3",
pages="283-286",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile, socio-demographic features, psychosocial stressors and outcome of somatoform disorders in children METHODS: Children up to the age of 18 year presenting with unexplained physical symptoms over a period of 6 months were evaluated. A detailed history and physical examination was carried out. Appropriate investigations were undertaken to exclude organic causes. Diagnosis was made according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. RESULTS: Forty-five children were diagnosed with somatoform disorders during the study period. The prevalence was 0.5% and 0.9% among outdoor and indoor patients, respectively. Conversion disorder (48.9%) was the commonest followed by other somatoform disorders (26.7%). Pseudoseizures and fainting attacks in conversion disorder and pain abdomen and general body pain in somatoform disorder were the commonest symptoms. Male to female ratio was 2.2:1. Urban children (25) were represented more than rural children (20). Stress factors were identified in 71.1% patients, which included fear of school or examinations. Thirty-three patients (73.3%) remained asymptomatic after counseling whereas, 8 patients (17.6%) had relapse requiring further counseling. Four patients (8.8%) showed no improvement and needed psychiatric evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Early referral to mental health professional is required to avoid unnecessary investigations and delay in diagnosis of somatoform disorders in children.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0019-5456",
doi="10.1007/s12098-010-0282-z",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0282-z"
}