Fears and anxiety in children with long-QT syndrome compared to children with asthma.

Objective: To compare children with asthma to children with long-QT syndrome (LQTS) in terms of anxiety and medical fears.

Method: Forty children (25 males/15 females) with asthma and their mothers participated, along with seven children with LQTS (four males/three females) and their mothers.

Results: Children with asthma had significantly more medical fears, fear of danger/death, and fear of minor injury and small animals compared to children with LQTS. Children with LQTS tended to have more fear of failure and criticism, and tended to keep their feelings to themselves and minimize their real feelings of anxiety. Children with LQTS had significantly more internalizing problems, and their mothers had significantly higher anxiety.

Conclusion: Fear and uncertainty can be overwhelming in LQTS. Children with LQTS do not seem to be able to share their feelings openly. Examining the psychosocial adjustment of affected children may assist professionals to help families to cope more effectively.