pattern of child and adolescent admission into psychiatric wards

Abstract EN

Aims : to describe the pattern of admission into psychiatric wards for patients aged 18 years and younger, identifying their psychiatric disorders, associated medical problems and mental sub-normality, the length of stay in the hospital, referrals and pattern of discharge.

Methods : first admission of people 18 years of age or younger to the psychiatric wards of king Khalid university hospital in Riyadh, kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from May 1st, 1995 to April 30th, 2005 were reviewed regarding admission data.

Results : A total of 140 patients (4.5 % of all admission) were 18 years of age or younger.

Adolescents constitute 95 %, females form 75 %.

Sixty-five percent were admitted via emergency department.

Most of them stayed less than 2 months.

Bipolar affective disorder was diagnosed in 30 % and schizophrenia was diagnosed in 27 %.

Physical diseases were not significantly associated.

Only 9.3 % had associated mental retardation.

Most of referrals were directed to the psychologists.

Seven patients (5 %) received electro-convulsive therapy (ECT).

About 10.7 % reported history of suicide attempt.

About 19.3 % were secluded at least once during admission.

Most discharges, 72.9 %, were decided by the treating psychiatrists.

Conclusion : most of admitted patients were adolescents with aggressive behavior and diagnosed as bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia, with low utilization of the service by children.