Screening of Acute Traumatic Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Pediatric Trauma Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background: Children who experience traumatic physical injuries are at risk of developing acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early identification and treatment of these high-risk children can lead to improved mental health outcomes in this population.

Objective: This study assesses the feasibility of a study protocol that compares 3 screening tools for identifying patients at a high risk of later development of acute stress disorder or PTSD among pediatric trauma patients.