Psychologic problems of children wounded during the war in Croatia

During the war in Croatia, at least 1230 children were wounded. A sample of 322 children was investigated for psychologic sequelae, using a structured interview, a measure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and scrutiny of the relevant medical records The study was undertaken by general practitioners, supervised by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and an orthopaedic surgeon. The findings showed that PTSD correlated significantly with the degree of disability, social circumstances (displacement), and family situation (one or both parents killed). It is concluded that children with war-related injures should be followed up regularly, especially to the end of adolescence, to prevent the development of mental disorders or further deterioration.