Citation

Baren JM, Mace SE, Hendry PL, Dietrich AM, Goldman RD, Warden CR. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2008; 24(7): 485-498.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Erratum On

Pediatr Emerg Care 2008;24(11):748

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0b13e31817de2bb

PMID

18633314

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The emergency physician should be familiar with the wide spectrum of pediatric mental health emergencies because they are commonly encountered in emergency medical practice. METHODS: A review of the literature was done in order to develop an approach for dealing with children presenting with mental health disorders in the emergency department (ED). RESULTS: Children' mental health emergencies have a wide spectrum from behavioral disturbances to major depression. An approach to the issues involved in caring for these patients is discussed which acknowledges the essential role of the emergency physician and the importance of integrating ED care with multidisciplinary services. CONCLUSIONS: The actions and directions taken in the ED are a crucial part of the child's long-term care and treatment. The ED evaluation and management of pediatric mental health emergencies may vary depending on the complaint and includes differentiation from organic etiologies, medical stabilization, and occasionally in depth psychosocial interview.

Language: en