Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in pre-schoolers: A report of two cases.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) presents unique challenges in toddlers and pre-schoolers as there are difficulties in assessment and overshadowing by comorbid illnesses. We present case descriptions of two pre-schoolers with developmental manifestations of the PTSD symptoms of intrusion, avoidance and alteration in arousal and reactivity following penetrative sexual abuse. These symptoms caused significant impairment and required a combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic intervention. This case report facilitates recognition of the disorder in preverbal and early verbal children and suggestions on management of PTSD in pre-schoolers are provided.