CHILDREN OF PEOPLE WITH SOMATIZATION DISORDER

Objective: The author investigated psychopathology, suicidal behavior, child abuse, somatization, and health care utilization in 34 children with a parent who has somatization disorder (SD-P) and two comparison groups: 41 children with a somatizing parent (SOM) (fewer symptoms th an required for diagnosis of SD-P), and 30 pediatrically ill controls (CON). Method: Child and parent versions of the Diagnostic Interview f or Children and Adolescents were scored for diagnosis and symptom coun ts in specified categories. Medical records were obtained and abstract ed. Results: Children of SD-P had significantly more psychiatric disor ders and suicide attempts than did children of SOM or the CON. SD-P an d CON had significantly more unexplained physical symptoms than SOM. S D-P showed a trend toward more hospitalizations and experienced signif icantly more maltreatment. Conclusions: Children of SD-P are at signif icant risk in several respects. Clinical implications of these finding s include a need for awareness and cooperation among general psychiatr ists, primary care physicians, and child and adolescent psychiatrists to facilitate detection and treatment of these children's problems.