After revealing that children were forced to play apathetic, the National Board of Health has ordered a report on what scientific evidence is available for the diagnosis. They have also visited the Children and Adolescent Psychiatry units, BUP, which care for children with symptoms of abandonment.

- You prefer to have published scientific research, now this is a very small patient group that is decreasing, says Jonas Bergström.

The most recent figures published are in a fact sheet issued by the National Board of Health in October 2017. It is written that a total of 173 asylum-seeking children have been cared for asylum syndrome in the years 2014-2016.

Research is missing

But now the State's preparation for medical and social evaluation, SBU, writes in a report that, based on scientific criteria, there is no research that can show how to diagnose this type of symptom.

- From that, you can move on to the proven experience, there are many places that meet these kids have a deep knowledge of their condition, says Bergström.

Manipulation is not mentioned

The National Board of Health and Welfare's guidance does not mention that staff should take into account that manipulation can occur - which, however, was included in an earlier message sheet published by the National Board of Health in 2005, but which was criticized by the Swedish Pediatric Association and later withdrawn. Instead, the National Board of Health and Welfare states in its guidance that "hypotheses about simulation, manipulation and poisoning have been found to lack support in the research conducted".

- If that were to be the case, the main thing is to look after the child's best in all situations, says Jonas Bergström.

Coming soon

After the debate, the National Board of Health has therefore visited those who care for the children today, to see if they need new guidelines from the National Board of Health.

Decisions about the National Board of Health's current guidance should be changed or withdrawn should come "relatively soon" according to Bergström.

- Then we can see if the profession needs more guidance or not.