Contributing factors in self-poisoning leading to hospital admission in adolescents in northern Finland.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequencies of different agents used in self-poisonings and acute factors contributing to intoxication of patients aged 12-18 years in northern Finland.


METHODS
Retrospective medical record review of all hospitalized patients during the period from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2006.


METHODS
Cause of the admission, contributing factors, readmissions within one year.


RESULTS
There were 309 admissions during the period, 54% were females. The leading cause of admission was alcohol, in 222 cases (71.8%). Hospitalizations related to alcohol consumption were associated with accidental poisoning in recreational use. There were no acute contributing factors in the majority of all patients. Over one-third of all intoxications were intentional self-harm, although previously diagnosed psychiatric diseases were rare.


CONCLUSIONS
It is crucial to recognize adolescent psychiatric disorders in time and consult child and adolescent psychiatrist in case of poisoning.
Department of Anesthesiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. janne.liisanantti@ppshp.fi
Janne Henrik
JH
Liisanantti
Tero Ilmari
TI
Ala-Kokko
Teija Sinikka
TS
Dunder
Hanna Elina
HE
Ebeling
D000293:Adolescent; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000506:poisoning*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019855:Ethylene Glycol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000432:Methanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000506:poisoning*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D019855:Ethylene Glycol; D000432:Methanol