Psychological Intervention for Caregiver Distress During Prolonged Pediatric Burn Hospitalization: A Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Case Report

Abstract

Severe pediatric burns often require prolonged hospitalization and are accompanied by significant psychological burden affecting both the child and caregivers. Despite this, structured psychological interventions for caregivers within inpatient settings remain underreported. We describe a case involving a 6-year-old boy with extensive burn injury affecting 57 percent of total body surface area and a complicated seven-month hospital course. His mother, the primary caregiver, developed marked parental stress and caregiver burden characterized by persistent guilt, intrusive recollections, anxiety symptoms, and anticipatory concerns about her child’s recovery and future functioning. A brief structured cognitive behavioral intervention was delivered by the consultation liaison psychiatry team at the bedside, focusing on maladaptive guilt related cognitions, problem solving, and emotional regulation strategies. At follow up, the caregiver demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement across standardized measures of stress, anxiety, and caregiver burden, alongside reduced rumination and improved functional coping. This case highlights the potential value of integrating targeted psychological support for caregivers within pediatric burn care. Early intervention may reduce maladaptive guilt, improve caregiver resilience, and support sustained engagement in the child’s recovery.