Adult patients with panic disorder are characterized by high levels of harm avoidance and anxiety sensitivity. Both, might be the product of the illness or might represent risk factors for development of panic disorder in adulthood. To examine this hypothesis we examined these factors in a high-risk sample of children of patients with panic disorder compared to peer of non affected parents.

Fifty-six children were assessed by the J-TCI, the CASI and semistructured clinical interviews for the assessment of anxiety disorders.

The results showed no significant differences between children at risk for panic disorder and peer of non affected parents for Cloninger's temperamental dimensions and anxiety sensitivity while anxiety disorder, in particular separation anxiety disorder, were more frequent among children of patients with panic disorder.

Our data suggest that specific temperamental profiles and high anxiety sensitivity are not significantly associated with familial vulnerability to PD, thus suggesting that they may not be significant childhood risk factors for PD, and confirm the association between childhood separation anxiety disorder and panic disorder.