Siblings of children with a complex chronic disorder treated by non-invasive ventilation.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the emotional and behavioural functioning of siblings of children treated with long term non-invasive ventilation (NIV). METHODS: Parents of children treated with NIV completed the Child Behaviour Checklist and a qualitative questionnaire for each sibling, aged 1.5-18 years old. RESULTS: The parents of 49 ventilated children were questioned about 79 siblings. For the siblings aged 1.5-5, mean total T score was 57 ± 22 (range 28-92), and five siblings (31%) were in the clinical range. For the siblings aged 6-18, mean total T score was 49 ± 12 (range 26-71), and six siblings (10%) were in the clinical range. Siblings felt responsible for their affected sibling (31%) and involved with his/her illness (52%), with 31% being worried about him/her. A change in behaviour was observed in 19% of the siblings since the initiation of NIV; 26% were impacted by the use of the NIV device. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of siblings of children treated with NIV do not present significant emotional and behavioural problems. They feel deeply responsible for their affected sibling and involved in his/her illness and treatment, highlighting the importance to involve the siblings in the care of the affected child.