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[Mental disorders in hospitalized children]
Problemy Sotsial'Noi Gigieny, Zdravookhraneniia I Istorii Meditsiny
|December 24, 2002
Summary
Psychotic disorders in children are a persistent concern, with boys disproportionately affected. While hospital admissions decrease, outpatient treatment and rehospitalizations for severe psychoses are increasing.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Psychotic disorders in children represent a significant public health challenge.
- Understanding trends in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiological trends of psychotic disorders in children aged 4-14 years over a 10-year period.
- To investigate changes in hospitalization rates, outpatient treatment, and rehospitalization patterns.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of 1491 case histories of children treated for psychotic disorders.
- Data collected from a mental hospital in Saint Petersburg between 1992 and 2001.
Main Results:
- Children with psychoses constituted a stable 14.2% of total inpatients.
- Boys were more prevalent (3.4:1 ratio) among children with psychoses.
- A decrease in hospital admissions was observed, with a rise in outpatient treatment and rehospitalizations for severe psychoses.
Conclusions:
- Despite a reduction in hospitalizations, there is a concerning rise in outpatient treatment and rehospitalizations for severe childhood psychoses.
- The prevalence of disability due to mental diseases, including schizophrenia and dementia, among hospitalized children is increasing.