Zakharov S, Navratil T, Pelclova D. Suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning in children and adolescents.
Psychiatry Res 2013;
210:302-7. [PMID:
23810383 DOI:
10.1016/j.psychres.2013.03.037]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM
The objective of the study was to examine the toxicological characteristics of suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning in children and adolescents.
METHOD
From the Toxicological Information Centre's database, the inquiries due to the suicide attempts in children (9-13 years old) and adolescents (14-18 years old) were evaluated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
From 10,492 calls concerning suicide attempts, 2393 concerned children and adolescents. Most suicide attempts were attempted in spring (31.3%). Among the toxic agents, drugs were used in 97.8% cases. The most frequent ingestions appeared using drugs affecting the nervous system and anti-inflammatory non-steroids. The dose was evaluated as toxic in 73.4%, severely toxic in 3.0% and unknown in 11.2% cases. Only one in 10 children used a non-toxic dose. Girls, more frequently than boys (13.2% vs. 8.9%), used non-toxic doses. The symptoms of moderate and severe intoxications were present in 10.5% of the cases. Poison centre consultation was accessed within the first hour after the ingestion in one-fifth of the patients. In both age groups, the severity of the intoxication was greater among elder males who reached the medical facilities later than 4 h after the poisoning. The combinations of three or more drugs affecting central nervous system were present in the most severe cases.
Collapse