ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 8 (UPI) -- A Michigan study finds children who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder after exposure to violence are more likely to have other health problems.
Two researchers from the University of Michigan interviewed the mothers and teachers of 160 children in Head Start programs. They found 65 percent of the children had been exposed to violence in the community and 47 percent within their family.
Most of the children who had witnessed at least one violent incident were found to have likely shown signs of trauma, such as bed-wetting and thumb-sucking, while 20 percent appeared to be at risk of PTSD.
The study found children with stress reactions were more likely to suffer asthma, allergies or attention deficit disorder.
Researchers Sandra Graham-Bermann and Julia Seng say it is not clear whether PTSD causes health problems or vice versa. But they suggest helping low-income mothers protect their children and early treatment for children with stress disorders is likely to improve their physical health.
The study was published in the March issue of the Journal of Pediatrics.
