Three-year prevalence of self-harm behaviors among the reasons for emergency visits of children and adolescents.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Three-year prevalence of self-harm behaviors among the reasons for emergency visits of children and adolescents.
Alternate Title:	PREVALENCIA A 3 AÑOS DE LAS CONDUCTAS AUTOLESIVAS ENTRE LOS MOTIVOS DE CONSULTA A URGENCIAS EN POBLACIÓN INFANTOJUVENIL.
Authors:	Ferrer, Marc¹ maferrer@vhebron.net, Lara, Benjamín¹, Calvo, Natalia¹, Andión, Óscar¹, Pérez, Violeta¹, Corominas, Margarida¹, Sancosmed-Ron, Mónica¹, González-Peris, Sebastià¹, Gonzalo de Liria, Carlos Rodrigo¹, Ramos-Quiroga, Josep A.¹
Source:	Actas Espanolas de Psiquiatria. ene/feb2021, Vol. 49 Issue 1, p35-72. 8p. 3 Charts.
Subjects:	SELF-injurious behavior, DISEASE prevalence, EARLY medical intervention, PEDIATRIC emergency services, PATHOLOGICAL psychology, PSYCHIATRIC consultation, PEDIATRICS, TEENAGERS
Abstract (English):	Introduction. Self-harm in the paediatric population is an emerging problem that has been associated with disability and an increased risk of suicide. The objective of the study is to analyse the prevalence of self-harming behaviour as a reason for paediatric emergency consultations. Materials and Methods. 122,985 paediatric emergency consultations during the years 2015-2017 were reviewed. Of these, 566 clinical episodes with a psychopathological problem as the main reason for consultation were analysed. Expert psychiatrists grouped them into Group CA (self-harming behaviour) and Group PS (other psychopathology). Clinical and sociodemographic variables were taken from the discharge reports and transferred to specific record sheets. Results. During the period analysed, a progressive decrease in the age of patients attending the paediatrics emergency room for a psychopathological problem was observed (p<0.001). Of these, 20.5% consulted for self-harming behaviour. Group CA had more of psychiatric medical history, an older mean age and were mostly female (p<0.001). Among self-harming behaviour, the most frequent were medication overdose (38.8%) and cuts (24.1%). At discharge, this group had a higher percentage of diagnoses of affective disorders and possible personality disorders (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of self-harm as the reason for consultation in emergency services is high in the paediatric population and adequate attention should be paid to it, especially for adolescent girls. To prevent the functional deterioration associated with these behaviours, implementing programmes for early detection and intervention and referral to specialised treatment should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish):	Introducción: Las conductas autolesivas en población pediátrica son un problema emergente que se ha asociado a la discapacidad y un mayor riesgo de muerte por suicidio. El objetivo del estudio es analizar la prevalencia de las conductas autolesivas entre los motivos de consulta a urgencias pediátricas. Material y método: Se analizaron 566 episodios clínicos cuyo principal motivo de consulta estaba relacionado con un problema de salud mental, entre las 122.985 consultas a urgencias de pediatría entre 2015-2017. Psiquiatras expertos los agruparon en el Grupo CA (conductas autolesivas) y Grupo PS (otra psicopatología). Variables clínicas y sociodemográficas se extrajeron de los informes de alta a partir de hojas de registro específicas. Resultados: El Grupo CA incluyó el 20,5 % de las consultas a urgencias por algún problema de salud mental. Las conductas autolesivas más frecuentes fueron las sobreingestas medicamentosas (38,8 %) y los cortes (24,1 %). En relación al Grupo PS, el Grupo CA presentaba un porcentaje mayor de chicas, una edad media más alta y más antecedentes psiquiátricos (p < 0,001). Además, este grupo presentó un mayor porcentaje de diagnósticos al alta de trastornos afectivos y posibles trastornos de la personalidad (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de conductas autolesivas entre las consultas a urgencias pediátricas es alta. Se observan especialmente en chicas adolescentes y muestran una mayor complejidad clínica. La detección y atención adecuada de estas conductas con programas especializados puede ayudar a prevenir el deterioro del funcionamiento psicosocial y detectar precozmente el debut de trastornos psiquiátricos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Actas Espanolas de Psiquiatria is the property of Maria Lopez-Ibor and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	MedicLatina

Description
Abstract:	Introduction. Self-harm in the paediatric population is an emerging problem that has been associated with disability and an increased risk of suicide. The objective of the study is to analyse the prevalence of self-harming behaviour as a reason for paediatric emergency consultations. Materials and Methods. 122,985 paediatric emergency consultations during the years 2015-2017 were reviewed. Of these, 566 clinical episodes with a psychopathological problem as the main reason for consultation were analysed. Expert psychiatrists grouped them into Group CA (self-harming behaviour) and Group PS (other psychopathology). Clinical and sociodemographic variables were taken from the discharge reports and transferred to specific record sheets. Results. During the period analysed, a progressive decrease in the age of patients attending the paediatrics emergency room for a psychopathological problem was observed (p<0.001). Of these, 20.5% consulted for self-harming behaviour. Group CA had more of psychiatric medical history, an older mean age and were mostly female (p<0.001). Among self-harming behaviour, the most frequent were medication overdose (38.8%) and cuts (24.1%). At discharge, this group had a higher percentage of diagnoses of affective disorders and possible personality disorders (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of self-harm as the reason for consultation in emergency services is high in the paediatric population and adequate attention should be paid to it, especially for adolescent girls. To prevent the functional deterioration associated with these behaviours, implementing programmes for early detection and intervention and referral to specialised treatment should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	11399287