Fear of children

An abnormal and persistent fear of babies and children. Sufferers experience anxiety even though they realize their fear is groundless. Rearing a child or being around active children can both produce anxiety. Fear of children is termed "pedophobia," a word derived from the Greek "pais" (child) and "phobos" (fear). Related terms include: androphobia, an abnormal and persistent fear of men; gynephobia, a comparably irrational and excessive fear of women.