[Suicide in pediatric patients: 30 cases].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate suicide attempts in pediatric population and analyze the morbimortality.


METHODS
We have reviewed thirty reports from twenty six patients hospitalized in UCIP by suicide attempts with an average age of 15.5 years (range 11-19) between January 1991 and April 1999. Results The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, precipitating suicidal event, number of suicide attempts, symptoms, method, treatment and mortality. The age group with more incidence was between 14 and 17 years with 73% (22 cases). The majority were girls (96%). There were prior suicide attempt in 40% (12 cases). Psychiatric disorder more frequently associated was anorexia nervosa in 70%. The most common method was self-poisoning (93%). Neurologic symptoms were seen in 20 cases. The more used treatment was activated coal. The clinical outcome was favourable and only two patients died. Conclusions The suicide attempts are happening more frequently in the adolescence in the last years. Pediatricians have to be prepared to recognize and provide prompt attention to acute medical, familiar and social problems.
Osona Rodríguez
B
B
Servicio de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Universitario del Niño Jesús, Madrid.
González Vicent
M
M
Mencía Bartolomé
S
S
Casado Flores
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*