Chronic fatigue syndrome is 'major' cause of school absence: research [Independent.ie]
- Published: 13 December 2011
CHRONIC fatigue syndrome may be ten times more common than previously thought and be one of the major reasons children are absent from school, researchers have said.
A study has found that one per cent of schoolchildren aged between 11 and 16 had CFS, which is also known as myalgic encephalitis or ME.
Previous estimates had suggested only about 0.1pc to 0.5pc of children suffered from the condition.
Most are undiagnosed and untreated, despite evidence that treatment is effective in youngsters, the researchers found.
The condition is a 'major cause' of school absence, they said.
Chronic fatigue syndrome can result in severe, disabling fatigue and affects mental and physical functioning. It may include insomnia, low mood and muscle pain or headaches.
Previous studies have found that an acute illness, often viral infection, appears to occur in two-thirds of children who go on to develop CFS.
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