Citation

Garrido Romero R, García García JJ, Carballo Ruano E, Luaces Cubells C, Alda Díez JA, Pou Fernández J. An. Esp. Pediatr. 2000; 53(3): 213-216.

Vernacular Title

Intoxicaciones voluntarias como intento de suicidio.

Affiliation

Seccion de Urgencias. Servicio de Pediatria. Unidad Integrada de Pediatria. Hospital Sant Joan de Deu-Hospital Clínic. Universitat de Barcelona.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Ediciones Doyma)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11083962

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Voluntary intoxication as form of attempted suicide is currently a significant problem among the teenage population. Suicide attempt is the most frequent psychiatric emergency in adolescents. We present our 2-year experience of voluntary intoxication in a pediatric population.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study of patients admitted because of voluntary intoxication in our center from January 1996 to December 1997. We analyzed age, sex, approximate time of intoxication, toxic habit antecedents, psychiatric evaluations or previous intoxications, type of toxic substance and method of obtaining it, symptomatology on arrival at the emergency department, therapeutic attitude and most common complementary examinations, and days of hospital stay.RESULTS: Forty-six patients with voluntary intoxication were admitted during the study period. The mean age was 15.6 years; 40 patients (87%) were female. Twenty-eight patients (60.9%) had previously been evaluated in a psychiatric department. The toxic substance used was of pharmacological origin, and in 38 patients (82.6%) it was obtained from the home first-aid kit. In 22 patients (47.8%) intoxication was due to multiple drugs. Six patients (13%) required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. Mean duration of admission was 3 days.COMMENTS: Voluntary intoxication as a form of attempted suicide is a significant problem among the teenage population, especially among teenage girls. The best preventive measure would be identification of the at-risk population, which consists mainly of teenage girls with depression, eating disorders, or previous suicide attempts.

Language: es