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

Authors

  • Marc Ferrer Servicio de Psiquiatría, CIBERSAM, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus; Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR); Departamento de Psiquiatría y Medicina Legal. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
  • Benjamín Lara Servicio de Psiquiatría, CIBERSAM, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus; Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR)
  • Natalia Calvo Servicio de Psiquiatría, CIBERSAM, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus; Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR); Departamento de Psiquiatría y Medicina Legal. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
  • Óscar Andión Research Sherpas. Sabadell
  • Violeta Pérez Servicio de Psiquiatría, CIBERSAM, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
  • Margarida Corominas Servicio de Psiquiatría, CIBERSAM, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus; Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR)
  • Mónica Sancosmed-Ron Unidad de Urgencias Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Infantil Vall d’Hebron. Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
  • Sebastià González-Peris Unidad de Urgencias Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Infantil Vall d’Hebron. Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
  • Carlos Rodrigo Gonzalo de Liria Unidad de Urgencias Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Infantil Vall d’Hebron. Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
  • Josep A. Ramos-Quiroga Servicio de Psiquiatría, CIBERSAM, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus; Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR); Departamento de Psiquiatría y Medicina Legal. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Keywords:

Non-suicidal self-harm, suicide, adolescence, paediatric emergency, early intervention

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.

Published

2021-01-01

How to Cite

Ferrer, Marc, et al. “Three-Year Prevalence of Self-Harm Behaviors Among the Reasons for Emergency Visits of Children and Adolescents”. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, vol. 49, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 35-42, https://actaspsiquiatria.es/index.php/actas/article/view/752.

Issue

Section

Original