Psychological impact of rheumatic heart disease on affected children and their mothers

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted at the pediatric outpatient clinic in Assiut University Hospital on 100 children with rheumatic heart disease [RHD], and 30 children with acute febrile illnesses as controls. Their ages ranged from 8-14 years. The psychological status of patients, controls and mothers of both groups was assessed by the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire [MHQ]. Children with RHD scored significantly higher levels on MHD scales of anxiety, obsession and depression than controls. On the other h and, patients complicated by heart failure [HF] scored significantly lower levels of obsession, depression and hysteria than controls. The psychological response of mothers of children with HF was generally similar to that of their children. The psychological response of mothers showed significantly lower scores of obsession and hysteria than mothers of children without HF, but they scored significantly higher levels of obsession and depression than mothers of controls. RHD appeared to adversely affect the psychological adjustment of the diseased children and their mothers