Somatisation in children: A profile of 100 cases,clinical presentations,precipitating factors and psychopathology

Objective: the present study was conducted in order to determine the clinical and psychosocial profile of children presenting with somatic symptoms in a tertiary care hospital setting. materials and methods: hundred consecutively seen children presenting with psychosomatic symptoms in child & family psychiatry department were included in the study. data regarding socio-demographic information,mode of referral,presenting symptoms,precipitating factors and psychiatric co morbidity was collected. results: the mean age was 11.98 years (80 girls,20 boys). majority of referrals were from family physicians and self referrals. headaches/body aches including abdominal pain and fainting spells were the most common presenting symptoms (59% & 29% respectively). school difficulties led to onset of symptoms in more than half of the participants (52%) of the study. conversion disorder (24%),undifferentiated somatoform disorders (17%) and emotional problems (depression 14%,generalised anxiety 13%) were some of the psychiatric comorbidites observed in these children. conclusion: somatic presentations in children are common in our setup. there is a need for underlying factors,and comorbid diagnosis in children presenting with somatic symptoms to be correctly recognised,properly referred and appropriately treated in a timely manner. running title: somatic presentation in children.