The DOI matches its Crossref record; 148 of the 153 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Somatization in Children and Adolescents
Abstract
Objective To review the empirical literature on somatization in the pediatric age group, emphasizing prevalence, influence on health care utilization, issues in the development of somatization, comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, assessment, and treatment.Method One hundred nineteen studies and reports addressing medically unexplained somatic symptoms in children and adolescents were compiled via MEDLINE search and extensive cross-referencing. All available controlled studies were included, as were selected case reports and collections of cases. Selected citations from the adult literature were chosen for relevance to pediatric somatization.Results Recurrent, medically unexplained physical symptoms are common in the pediatric age group, are often associated with other psychiatric symptoms, and may represent a common presentation of psychiatric disorder in the primary care setting. DSM-III-R-defined somatization disorder is rare, and pseudoneurological symptoms are unusual. Patients may be at risk for potentially dangerous, costly, and unnecessary medical investigations and treatments, and they may excessively utilize health care services.Conclusion Our current understanding of pediatric somatization and its consequences is limited. Collaboration between mental health professionals and primary health care providers is essential. Consistent terminology, developmentally appropriate classification, and systematic future research will be necessary for the development of successful prevention and treatment strategies.
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“Somatic symptoms are common in children and adolescents with prevalence rates ranging approximately from 10% to 30% [47,48].”
From Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [47]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Campo, J. V., & Fritsch, S. L.
- Affiliations
- Brown University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Campo, John V.
- Venue
- Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1994-11
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1223-1235
- ISSN
- 0890-8567 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2013265615
- Cited by
- 288
- References
- 153
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 1.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
- Keywords
- somatization, medically unexplained symptoms, medically unexplained somatic symptoms, children, adolescents, somatization disorder, health care utilization, prevalence, assessment, treatment, primary care
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Models, Psychological, Prognosis, Risk Factors, Somatoform Disorders, Comorbidity, Prevalence
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