Evaluation of Predictors of Suicidal Re-Attempt in Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Background: Suicidal attempt in children is a serious public health problem. A proper identification of features of suicide-related behavior may help physicians to develop an accurate approach. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of children with poisoning due to suicidal attempt and to determine the risk factors of suicidal re-attempt in the Emergency Department (ED) via a simple questionnaire. Methods: We collected medical data of patients under 18 years who were admitted to our ED with intoxication due to suicidal attempt, retrospectively. General characteristics of patients were evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups as 1) High risk: patients with repetitive suicide attempt; 2) Low risk: patients with first time suicidal attempt. Results: A total of 57 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 15.91 ± 0.97. Majority of the patients were female (73.7%). Analgesics were the most frequent abused drugs with a ratio of 51.1%. It is determined that the most important variables affecting the risk of suicidal re-attempt are "idea about the suicide" and "purpose". It was determined that patients with an idea of repetitive suicide (I will try again) and whose purpose was to die (I wish I have died) were in the most risky group with a history of previous suicidal attempt. Conclusion: This study suggests that answers of the pediatric patients to some question have a potential to predict the high risk patients. The risk of suicidal re-attempt may be predicted by the answers given to these questions: 1) What is your idea about suicide? 2) What was your purpose?

Kırım Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi Tanılı Hastaların Epidemiyolojik, Klinik ve Laboratuvar Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi: Tek Merkez Deneyimi

“…Yardan ve ark. 15 [9][10][11][12]18,19 . Son zamanlarda, vaka bildirim süresi Mart'tan Kasım'a kadar uzamıştır 20 .…”