Child from an alcohol free family

Pediatricians can have an added role in screening parents of their child patients for alcohol abuse and refer them for further evaluation and treatment, according to a new study by the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research (CeASAR) published in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Pediatricians strive at a holistic treatment of their child patients. Even as they examine a child for health conditions, they have to be aware of the growing environment the child is surrounded with at home and elsewhere. This is part of their commitment to the health of the child.

The CeASAR researchers, based at Children’s Boston Hospital, found that in addition to their objective to optimize child health, their practice leads them to have frequent interactions with the parents and enables them to develop close relationships with both the child and their family.

This was seen as a unique opportunity for pediatricians to screen parents for alcohol use and, if necessary, recommend them to undergo more assessment and treatment, according to Dr. Celeste Wilson, a pediatrician and researcher who served as the study’s lead author.

The researchers worked with 879 parents of children undergoing treatment at different primary-care clinics. One pediatric clinic each was chosen to represent rural, suburban, and urban areas. Parents were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire. The process included two brief screening tests for alcohol usage and also asked about their personal preferences about screening for alcohol use.

An overwhelming 9 of 10 parents expressed willingness to be asked about alcohol use by their child’s pediatrician during appointments scheduled for the child, and this included three quarters of the parents who were found positive for the alcohol screen.

The other choices were screening by nurses, medical assistants, and other medical staff. The researchers believe the preference for pediatricians is due to the special bond existing in the parent-pediatrician relationship.

The screening method for alcohol use most preferred by parents was a direct conversation with the pediatrician. The next two preferred methods were computer-based questionnaires and written (paper/pencil) questionnaires.

The researchers also observed a high proportion (11.5 percent) of the 879 parents who were found positive for the alcohol use screening tests. This is a relatively high occurrence considering this was purely a volunteer-only study.

There is a possibility, according to the study, that the parents who declined to participate and answer the anonymous questionnaire were precisely those having the most serious problems with alcohol use. If this is hypothesis is valid, then the actual situation might actually be bigger than the 11.5 percent observed in the study.

Children living with alcoholics have a higher risk for having emotional problems than their peers living in an alcohol-free household. They usually try to hide their parent’s alcoholism but relatives, teachers and other adults should be able to sense something is amiss.

Pediatricians, it seems, are in an even better position to do something about such situations.

Safety Tip:

* If you’re a pediatrician and you sense an alcohol problem with a child’s parent, try talking with the parent. Early intervention can help the parent — and the child.