Gokalp G, Anil M, Bal A, Bicilioglu Y, Kamit Can F, Anil AB. Pak. J. Med. Sci. Q. 2016; 32(3): 731-735.
Affiliation
Ayse Berna Anil, MD. Associate Professor, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Clinic of Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir Tepecik Teaching and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE: Suicide attempts (SAs) in the paediatric age group represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to examine the factors affecting the decision to hospitalize children with a diagnosis of non-fatal SA by pills.
METHODS: Children <18 years of age admitted with SA by pills during 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: Group-I comprised hospitalised patients and Group-II included those who were discharged from the PED. These two groups were compared in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics recorded upon PED admission.
RESULTS: A total of 196 patients were included in the study. The number of pills taken for self-poisoning in Group-I (median: 20 pills) was higher than that in Group-II (median: 12 pills) (p < 0.001), and the rate of pathological findings during the first paediatric psychiatric consultation was higher in Group-I (91.1%) than in the Group-II (54.8%) (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Factors affecting the disposition decision in cases of children who performed non-fatal SA via pills included the amount of medication taken for the suicide attempt and the presence of psychiatric disorders, as determined by a paediatric psychiatrist during the acute phase.