Chronic illness encompasses a large number of persistent or recurring illnesses, for example, arthritis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, sickle cell disease. A condition may be considered chronic if it has lasted or is expected to last more than 3 months; if the level of functional impairment or the use of medical attention is greater than that expected for a child of the same age.
Illness behavior and somatization in children--National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1997-2006)
Lynn Walker, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Judy Garber, Ph.D., Craig Smith, Ph.D.
Arthritis Foundation
The child with a long term illness -Facts for Families
Knowledge Path: Children with Special Health Care Needs