Psychiatric problems of pediatric end-stage renal failure

Abstract

Our study compared 53 children with end-stage renal disease (26 children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and 27 children with kidney transplants) to a matched sample of 27 healthy children. Seventeen of the children on dialysis (65.4%) exhibited separation anxiety disorder, which was associated with the family psychological environment. After receiving kidney transplantation, school maladjustment continued, and adjustment disorder was seen in eight children (29.6%). The adjustment disorder was related to poor relationships with peers at school.