The relationship between post-traumatic stress in children and adolescents who underwent liver transplantation and post-traumatic stress in their mothers

Abstract Background Liver transplantation(LT) has become the standard treatment protocol for end-stage liver disease, metabolic disorders and, some types of liver tumors. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder in pediatric LT recipients and in their mothers. Methods Sixty-one children and adolescents who had undergone LT aged 1–18 years took part in this study. The control group consisted of 25 healthy children and adolescents. Participants fulfilled the Child Depression Inventory, Child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index, The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Mothers fulfilled the Family Assessment Device and PTSD Checklist-Civilian. Results The physical, psychosocial, and total health scores in the patient group were significantly lower than in the control group. Child-traumatic stress scores were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. However, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of child depression scores and maternal traumatic stress scores. There was a negative correlation between maternal traumatic stress scores and child-psychosocial health scores. Maternal traumatic stress scores also correlated positively with child traumatic stress scores. Conclusion Mothers of the LT recipients can benefit from psychoeducation about the symptoms of post-transplant traumatic stress and providing psychological support to caregivers may help with the stress of caring for a child with LT.