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

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.