Varied somatic reactions in children are the result of an insoluble conflict in the mother-child relationship. In all cases studied, the mother had an unconscious urge to keep the child helpless and dependent. The child, in turn, responded with unconscious obedience which was reflected in somatic symptoms. The child''s personality and needs are completely disregarded by the mother. Sperling considers "this specific relationship of mutual dependence and (magical) control existing between mother and child .... an important predisposing factor in the development of a psychosomatic disorder in a child." Three illustrative case histories are given in considerable detail.