Children's Fear of Hospitalization

Children's Reaction to Hospitalization may vary depend on child growth and development.

5 month – 3 years

Fear of separation from mother or usual caregiver.

Nursing Intervention:
Encourage rooming in and bring familiar object from home e.g. toys and blanket.


3-6 years

• A toddler views hospitalization as punishment.
• A school age or adolescent will fear of harm and mutilation

Nursing Intervention:

• Kindly explain nursing procedure in simple terms and do not inform child of painful far in advance.
• Nurse can demonstrate procedures with dolls.
• Do not discourage crying and allow parents to be with child during painful procedures.
• Nurse should be honest regarding pain experienced during procedures.

6-18 years

Separation from parents, peers and lost of control

Nursing Intervention:

• Allow child to be visited by family and friends.
• Allow child to use the telephone to maintain family and peer contact.
• Give child choices when it is possible.
• Explain procedures in simple terms.
• Do not discourage child to cry.
• Restrain can be applied for a procedure if necessary and tell that this will help him / her hold still.