Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of suicide attempts in children and adolescents who were followed up and treated as a result of suicide attempts and to pay attention to the subject.
Methods:
We aimed to evaluate the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents who were hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine between 2010 and 2015. Also we determined triggering factors, the nature of suicide attempt, drug use.
Results:
The study included 52 cases with a mean age of 14.5±1.2 years (min: 10.5-maks: 17) and 46 girls (88.5%). Twenty-four (46.1%) of the patients attempted suicide by taking one drug, 28 (53.9%) attempted suicide by taking multiple drugs. Analgesics (42.3%) are the most frequently taken drug group, respectively anti-depressants (28.8%), anti-hypertensives (15.3%) followed it up. In 24 (46.1%) patients psychiatric evaluations performed during the hospitalization period and no mental problems were detected and they were evaluated as impulsive suicides. Major depression (28.8%) was the most frequent mental disorder in the cases, followed by conduct disorder (11.5%), adjustment disorder (7.6%), impulse control disorder (3.8%). The most common trigger factor was family conflict (53.8%).
Conclusion:
Identifying the characteristics of suicide attempts and identifying risk factors will guide the follow-up of the cases and take protective measures. It is especially important for adolescents with depression to closely monitor and treat it. In addition, adolescents and families need to be supported in order to prevent impulsive suicide attempts. Precautions should be taken to prevent the access of adolescents to drugs within and outside the home.
Keywords: Suicide, child, adolescent, risk factors