Suicide and suicidal ideation in classic exstrophy.
OBJECTIVE
Currently chronic illness is not a recognized risk factor for suicide in children. Therefore, we evaluated vulnerability for suicidal behavior (suicide attempt and suicidal ideation) in our population of young patients with classic bladder exstrophy.


METHODS
We reviewed the charts of 121 patients 5 to 24 years old with classic bladder exstrophy only from a combined, 2-center database of 935. These patients were psychologically evaluated from 1996 to 2005 for preoperative readiness for urological surgery or for coping with medicosurgical health requirements.


RESULTS
Of 121 patients 18 (14.9%) experienced suicidal ideation. Of 38 patients (31.4%) older than 14 years 11 experienced suicidal ideation, 2 experienced a serious suicidal attempt and 1 completed suicide. In 36 patients (30%) there were no recorded data on suicidal behavior. All patients with suicidal behavior were male.


CONCLUSIONS
Data from this study of classic exstrophy imply that there are clinically significant vulnerabilities for suicidal behavior in affected male children, adolescents and young adults. These findings argue for screening those with classic exstrophy for suicidal behavior and psychopathology.
Reiner
William G
WG
Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA. William-reiner@ouhsc.edu
Gearhart
John P
JP
Kropp
Brad
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001746:Bladder Exstrophy / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data