Abstract
IntroductionDexamethasone and prednisone are basic components of treatment protocols for children with hematologic malignancies. The steroid therapy might cause temporary changes in psycho-emotional and somatic state of patients which might potentially cause anxiety among them and their parents. AimThe first aim of the study was to compare effects of treatment with prednisone and dexamethasone on psycho-emotional state of children and the second aim was to assess the level of anxiety of parents and their children during steroid therapy. Material and methodsThe study was performed in years 2009–2011 in oncohematological departments in Zabrze, Poznań and Szczecin. The study group consisted of 39 patients and 79 of their parents. The parents completed a questionnaire for the assessment of impact of steroid therapy on psycho-emotional and somatic state of their children. Additionally, children under 9 years old and their parents completed State Trait Anxiety Inventory for the assessment of impact of steroid therapy on their level of anxiety. The control group comprised 30 patients who did not receive steroids and 50 of their parents. Results and conclusionsThe most common symptoms associated by parents of children with steroid treatment were: increase in appetite, mood swings, irritability. Analysis of various symptoms depending on the area of child's functioning confirmed the highest impact of steroids on somatic state of the patients. Dexamethasone had stronger influence on somatic and cognitive functioning of children than prednisone. Steroid therapy does affect anxiety level only among parents but not in children. Psychoeducation procedure about steroid therapy effects was designed for parents and sick children based on the results of the study. The knowledge that extreme psychoemotional states are natural reaction for this treatment should improve an adaptation to illness for children as well as their parents.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
