Suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning in children and adolescents

Abstract

AimThe objective of the study was to examine the toxicological characteristics of suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning in children and adolescents. MethodFrom 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 conclusionsFrom 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.