Posttraumatic stress symptoms in children after mild to moderate pediatric trauma: a longitudinal examination of symptom prevalence, correlates, and parent-child symptom reporting.

Background: Full recovery from injury may be hindered by both physical ailments and psychologic distress. Little information is available on the psychologic response of children to physical trauma, although long-term dysfunction may result if psychologic needs are not identified and addressed. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents after an acute traumatic event resulting in mild to moderate physical injury.