[Intentional self-poisonings among children and youth hospitalized in pediatric clinic]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the most important factors that can favour suicide attempts among children and to establish the age of highest risk, and note the extent of the phenomenon on the base of admissions to hospital within five years.

Material and methods: The research covered 42 patients of Paediatric clinic at the age of 12-17 years. Clinical intervention and observation, psychological evaluation and psychiatric examination were carried out.

Results: Fifty percent of the patients came of an incomplete (single-parent) families. Thirty one percents of patients' families were affected by alcoholism, nearly half of poisoned children were 14-15 years of age. There was a significant prevalence of girls in the group (88%). Seventeen percents of them had a history of multiple suicidal attempts. Children hospitalized by reason of intentional self-poisoning constituted, according to a year of observation, 0.45-1.34% (mean 0,81%) of all patients of the Paediatric Clinic.

Conclusions: Female sex and age of 15-16 years is a time of highest risk. Alcoholism is a frequent problem in families of children attempting suicide. Children with disturbed personality, behaviour and emotionality are particularly at risk of repeating an suicidal attempt and require longer psychological and psychiatrical care.