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.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Medical College, Calicut, North Kerala, India. krshnakumar@sancharnet.in
P
P
Krishnakumar
M G
MG
Geeta
A V
AV
Gopalan
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