Pediatric emergencies in children with psychiatric conditions

Abstract

This article reviews special considerations for children with psychiatric conditions when they present with pediatric emergencies. The review spans a variety of scientific disciplines and attempts to integrate information that is not usually available to the emergency practitioner from a single source; the intent is not to be exhaustive on any particular topic but to organize what is most relevant to pediatric emergency care. Topics that are discussed include: 1) a brief review of true psychiatric emergencies, 2) side effects of psychotropic medications that have direct implications for emergency assessment and management, 3) neurologic disorders that present with psychiatric manifestations, and 4) psychiatric disorders that present with somatic manifestations.