International charity Save the Children warned Monday (March 6th) that Syrian children terrified by shelling and airstrikes are showing signs of severe emotional distress and could grow up to be a generation "lost to trauma", AFP reported.

Interviews with over 450 children and adults showed a high level of psychological stress among children, with many suffering from frequent bed wetting or developing speech impediments, according to "Invisible Wounds", a report on the war's impact on children's mental health.

At least three million children are estimated to be living in Syria's war zones, facing ongoing bombing and shelling as the conflict heads into its seventh year.

Two-thirds of those interviewed by the charity have lost a loved one or had their house bombed or shelled, or suffered war-related injuries themselves.

"After six years of war, we are at a tipping point," the report said. "The risk of a broken generation, lost to trauma and extreme stress, has never been greater."

A full 84% of those interviewed listed bombing and shelling as the main cause of stress in children's daily lives.

About 48% of adults reported that children had lost the ability to speak or developed speech impediments since the start of the war.

Some 81% of children have become more aggressive, while 71% suffer from frequent bed wetting, according to the research.

Half of those interviewed said domestic abuse was on the rise, and one in four children said they do not have a place to go or someone to talk to when they are scared, sad or upset.

Save the Children's Syria director Sonia Khush cited instances of attempted suicide and self-harm.