Chronic illness in children

Question 1

Describe the 4 stages of development

Answer 1

Infancy (0-2y): attachment and exploring environment
Pre-school (2-5y): language, autonomy, moral development
Younger and middle childhood (5-11y): intellectual and academic skills, relationships, gender identity
Pre-adolescence and adolescence (10+): physical changes, self-identity, sexual identity, body image etc

Question 2

Scoring systems for children

Answer 2

Use patient recorded outcome measures (PROMs) to measure

RCADS: revised children’s anxiety and depression scale - generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, social phobia, panic, OCD and depression

PHQ-A: Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents - screening for and assessing depression

SDQ: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires - prosocial behaviour, hyperactivity and problems

Question 3

Impacts of chronic illness on children

Answer 3

• Lower self-esteem
• Varied school experiences
• Poorer school outcomes
• Anxiety
• Depression

Question 4

Impacts of chronic illness on families

Answer 4

• Disruptions to normal routines
• Changes in roles/expectations/responsibilities
• Loss of ‘perfect’ child
• Stress, additional support, jealousy