ABSTRACT
Chronic medical illness refers to a range of conditions, both congenital and acquired, that vary in terms of onset, course, incapacitation, treatment demands, and prognosis (Rolland, 1987). Congenital disorders include sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, which are inherited and diagnosed shortly after birth, are variable in their course, require preventive intervention, and are life shortening. Many other illnesses develop over the course of childhood. These illnesses may involve intense, invasive, and prolonged treatments with long-term complications resulting from the disease (juvenile diabetes) and the treatment (cancer). Others, such as pediatric headache and recurrent abdominal pain, develop in childhood and have treatments circumscribed for amelioration of pain and its impact on quality of life. In addition, acquired conditions (e.g., obesity and traumatic brain injury) may limit functional ability and interfere with social adaptation.
