Caring for a Child with Chronic Illness: Effect on Families and Siblings

Almost 20% of children have some form of chronic illness. Chronic illness in children can have a profound effect on their families and siblings in a variety of ways. Recognizing these potential impacts and knowing some ways to mitigate them can be of great help to your patients and their families. OBJECTIVES After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. List the financial, biological, and psychosocial effects on a family with a child with chronic illness. 2. Describe the unique effect on siblings of a child with chronic illness. 3. List the role of pediatricians in supporting family members of a child with chronic illness.