Aim. to identify the psychological distress related to endoscopy in children and adolescents. Materials and method. 232 patients aged 1 to 18 years were investigated by endoscopy procedures between 2014 and 2016. 193 of them (83.2%) had indications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, while 37 patients (16%) had indications for colonoscopy. The medical and psychological data were registered. Results. Anxiety is noticed in 36 pediatric patients of the total group (15.5%). Out of the 36 cases where physical and behavioral indications of anxiety
were identified, 52.8% were females and 47.2% were males. Psychological distress was more frequently identified in the 6 to 12 year-old age group (69%). Conclusions. Signs of medical procedure related anxiety occur more frequently in the 6 to 12 year-old age group and among female patients. Informing and psychologically preparing the patients before the procedure, as well as informing and educating the family are required to support the subjects.
- anxiety
- behavior
- Child
- endoscopy.
- patient
- psychological distress