Physical complaints in children in Germany and in the Netherlands

Question: What is the frequency of parent-reported somatic complaints of ch ildren in Germany and the Netherlands dependent an their age, sex and the e ducation of their parents. Methods: 4876 CBCL (Child Behaviour Checklist) of children aged 4 through 1 7 years from the general population were analysed. Results: Dutch children were scored higher by their parents than German chi ldren. Moreover somatic complaints increased with age and girls were scored higher. The frequencies of somatic complaints varied from 2% for 'problems with eyes' to 15% for 'headaches.' The presence of one somatic complaint i ncreased the likelihood of concomitant somatic complaints. Conclusion: Somatic complaints of children without any known cause are ofte n seen. Some symptoms are often reported together. More, especially causal studies on the somatic symptoms of children are recommended.