15 The characteristics of patients admitted to a specialist children’s mental health inpatient unit with pervasive arousal withdrawal syndrome

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood 2023-02, Vol.108 (Suppl 1), p.A6-A6
• Main Authors: MacKean, Molly, Evans, Sacha, Simione, Silvia, Cutler, Dawn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arousal; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Diagnosis; Hospitalization; Medical diagnosis; Mental disorders; Mental health care; Patients; Pediatrics; Posters presentations; Referral; Social interaction; Withdrawal (Psychology); Young Adults
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-gosh.15

BackgroundPervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is a complex syndrome that leads to a young persons’ social withdrawal and regression in functioning within the areas of eating, mobilization, speech and personal care. PAWS is not currently recognised in diagnostic manuals and children with PAWS may receive several different diagnostic labels prior to their PAWS diagnosis. The research aims to explore the demographics of those admitted with PAWS. It also considers the overlap with Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS) in this group of young people.MethodsReferral data from January 2013-July 2021 were collected and analysed in excel. Information collected included: age, gender, ethnicity, diagnoses on admission. The PAWS cohort was identified by review of referral data by two researchers. The criteria for inclusion in the PAWS cohort was withdrawal in more than two domains of functioning as indicated by information in the clinical record.ResultsFourteen patients who met the criteria for PAWS were admitted between January 2013-July 2021. Of the 14 patients, 1 had a diagnosis of PAWS on admission. The referrals for 13 were consistent with a diagnosis of FSS and 13 mentioned eating difficulties. Referrals described low mood/depression in 9 patients and anxiety in 6 patients. Ten patients identified as white. Seven of the patients were male, and 7 were female. Ages ranged from 11-16, with 6 out of the 14 patients aged 13.ConclusionMost of those who met the criteria for PAWS also had difficulties consistent with FSS. Further research could explore this overlap and identify any discriminating features of PAWS. Of those admitted with PAWS, there were equal numbers of males and females, which stands in contrast to literature suggesting it is more commonly observed among females.