Deliberate self-poisoning in children.
This prospective study was aimed to analyze the nature of and the factors associated with deliberate self-poisoning in children below the age of 12 years. Children referred to the Child Guidance Clinic for evaluation after recovery from the effects of poisoning during the five-year period between 1999 and 2003 formed the subjects of the study. The children were evaluated for stress factors, psychiatric disorders and the nature and mode of deliberate self-poisoning. Deliberate self-poisoning constituted 0.9% of total admissions due to poisoning. There were 10 boys and 2 girls between the ages of 9 and 12 years. Both acute and chronic stress in the family and school were associated with deliberate self-poisoning. Majority of them had psychiatric disorders. Rat poison (zinc phosphide) was the commonest poison used. Two children got the idea from watching TV serials.
Krishnakumar
P
P
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Medical College, Calicut, North Kerala, India. krshnakumar@sancharnet.in
Geeta
M G
MG
Gopalan
A V
AV
D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology