Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate sociodemographic features, method of suicide and risk factors of children suicide attempted. Material and Method: The study included children aged between 18 years who were admitted to Sakarya University Medical Faculty Pediatric Emergency Department with the diagnosis of suicide attempt between October 2014 and April 2017. The records of 383 children under 18 years of age who completed the suicide attempt enrollment form were evaluated retrospectively in terms of gender, age, residential area, educational status, method and triggering factors used for suicide attempt, number of attempts, psychiatric diagnosis, follow-up and treatment history. Findings and Results: Out of 383 subjects 330 were female (86.2%) and median age 15 (12-18) years. The majority of subjects were high school students (%56.9).  All used drug-toxic substance admittance for suicide attempt. 326 of subjects’ first suicide attempt (%85.1), on the other hand 57 of subjects had a prior suicide attempt history (%14.9). The most common causes were familial problems (60.6%), followed by problems related to developmental period (18.5%). Twenty-seven (7%) cases had previously been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and 356 (93%) had no psychiatric diagnosis. The majority of cases were found in the city center (92.4%). Suicidal interventions were most common (30.5%) in the spring season. According to admission times, the patients most frequently applied between 20.00-24.00 hours. Conclusion: As a result, risk factors related to suicide attempt, which is a life threatening problem, should be considered as a whole and evaluated in terms of appropriate preventive, supportive and therapeutic approaches for children.

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