HOSPITALIZATION IN A PEDIATRIC WARD OF ADOLESCENT SUICIDE ATTEMPTERS ADMITTED TO GENERAL HOSPITALS

Purpose: Considering the growing interest of pediatricians in the adolescent patient, one might hypothesize that adolescent suicide attempters might receive superior treatment in a pediatric unit than in other in-patient settings. Methods: In order to examine this hypothesis, we compared sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics of patients admitted to pediatric wards (n = 174) with those admitted to other departments (n = 251), based on data from a survey of 430 adolescents aged 13-19 years hospitalized following a suicide attempt. Results: Patients admitted to pediatric units tended to be younger and were more often described as manifesting depression and sleep disturbances. However, no differences were found between the two groups for the other factors investigated (sex, socio-professional category of parents, academic level, family situation, psychiatric problems, social problems, etc.). We then examined differences between the two groups with respect to hospital care (length of stay, psychiatric consultations) and follow-up course (coordination with the family doctor and/or social services, recommended after-care). Our findings showed that for a similar psychosocial profile, pediatric units contact the family doctors more often and proposed a more extensive follow-up. The role in patient management of depression, family, social and school problems is also discussed. Conclusion: Compared with other departments to which adolescent suicide attempters could be admitted, pediatric wards appear to show better performance.