The Lyme Disease Network
Medical / Scientific Abstract


Title:Psychiatric aspects of Lyme disease in children and adolescents: A community epidemiologic study in Westchester, New York
Authors:Fallon BA, Bird H, Hoven C, Cameron D, Liebowitz MR, Shaffer S
Source:JSTD 1994; 1:98-100
JSTD Home Page: http://www.slackinc.com/general/jstd/jstdhome.htm
Organization:

Abstract:
To date, no community study has examined the psychiatric aspects and or sequelae of Lyme disease (LD) among children. As part of a community epidemilogic study of psychiatric disorders among children ages 9 through 17 in a Lyme endemic county, parents were asked whether their child had ever been diagnosed as having LD, and 10.1% (36/357) responded yes to the LD question. Of the 36, 29 also agreed to take part in a follow-up interview. Sixteen of the 29 children had physician-diagnosed LD as well as either an erythema migrans rash or a positive serology. Fifteen of these 16 received treatment within 1 month of symptom onset; none of these 15 children were symptomatic longer than 4 months. Only one child had physical symptoms at the time of the interview; she was not treated until 4 months after symptom onset. The child experienced 5 years of intermittent arthritis, cognitive deficits, emotional problems, severe fatigue, and a deterioration in school performance. Courses of oral antibiotics were at first associated with a good response, followed by a resurgence of symptoms months later.

The lifetime prevalence of LD by history among children ages 9 through 17 in an endemic area may be at least 44.8/1000. In general, when LD is diagnosed early, it responds well to treatment. Delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to a chronic course.

Keywords:


Language: Eng

Unique ID: 940000AP


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