Analysis of suicide attempts among children hospitalised in the Department of Paediatrics in Zabrze in 2010-2016

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the current decline in the number of suicides, they are the second most common cause of death among children and adolescents. At the end of the 20th century, suicides represented about 10% of all causes of death of people up to 18 years old, but currently they reach up to 20%. Over the years, the number of suicide attempts (SA) has also increased. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to analyse the cases of hospitalisation of children in the Department of Paediatrics of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Zabrze (DP IPCH1) due to a suicide attempt. Material and methods: Medical records of 87 patients hospitalised due to SA in the years 2010-2016 in the DP IPCH1 were retrospectively analysed. Results: All children who were admitted to the hospital survived their suicide attempt. An almost 2.5-fold increase was observed in the numbers of hospitalisations in years 2010-2016. Up to 86.2% of the patients were girls. The average age in group was 15.2 ±1.4 years. In order to commit suicide, children most often used medications (97.7%). They regularly combined them with alcohol or self-harm. 3/4 of overdose incidents included prescription-only medicaments. Almost half of the patients previously showed self-destructive tendencies in the form of self-harm. For 78.2% of the responders it was the first suicide attempt. 40.7% of patients had pre-existing chronic diseases, and the next 20% were under the control of a psychologist or psychiatrist. After hospitalisation 11 children were transferred to a psychiatric ward for further treatment. Conclusions: The increase of hospitalisations due to suicide attempts is disturbing. In this context, special attention should be given to children from risk groups such as: previous suicide attempts, chronically ill, addicted to alcohol or drugs, with impaired parent-child relationship, or with self-harm history.