title: Childhood suicide: a major issue in pediatric health care.
abstract: Although prevention of youth suicide is a major aim in most countries, it often is not taken into account that younger children also are capable of killing themselves. Evidence suggests that the suicide rate among children has increased dramatically and that risk factors for suicide must be evaluated when dealing with children in primary and secondary care. Adverse life events in combination with other factors, such as depression, may lead to suicide. This article aims at stimulating further discussion among those involved in pediatric health care. Epidemiological data, an overview of risk factors, and the authors' reflections on the topic are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. pompili@katamail.com
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompili
authors.forename: Iginia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mancinelli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruberto
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tatarelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*