Stesolid emergency treatment: Cave social fear!

PURPOSE To explore psychosocial effects of rectiole emergency treatment. METHODS Children who had at some time been treated with Stesolid rectiole for seizure relief were questioned about feelings of shame in relation to this treatment and their expectation of bullying by peers who might be aware of it. In addition to parental shame, parental worries concerning their children's epilepsy were explored. Data from 39 patients (18 girls) aged 5-19 years were analysed. RESULTS Of the children aged over seven, most girls (9/12), but not boys (1/6) reported to feeling a sense of shame. Children's shame was not related to parental shame, parental worries or seizure severity. A higher frequency of rectiole applications was related to a stronger expectation of being bullied. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Rectal emergency medication may elicit social fear, particularly in girls and if recurring it may (not solely in girls) elicit increased expectations of bullying.