Pediatric Psychiatric Emergencies at a Tertiary Care Center in India

To describe the clinical profile and pattern of pediatric psychiatric emergency referrals at a tertiary-care center in India.

Retrospective chart review of emergency psychiatry records over a 13-month period (January, 2015-January, 2016).

Pediatric psychiatric emergencies (n=65) (mean (SD) age, 14.2 (2.39) y) constituted 10% of all-age psychiatric emergencies. Risk of harm to self and/or others was seen in a third of patients (aggression, 18.5%; self-harm, 16.9%). Common psychiatric diagnoses were dissociative disorder (27.7%), mood disorders (9.3%) and psychotic disorders (7.7%). Compared to adult emergencies attended during same time period, pediatric group had more females (63.1% vs 47.4%; P=0.02), more patients with dissociative disorders (28.7% vs 8.2%; P<0.01) and absence of psychotropic medication prescriptions (36.9% vs 20.6%; P=0.003), while frequency of self-harm and aggression as a reason for presentation was similar to adults.

The report helps to understand the service needs of younger age group presenting with psychiatric emergencies.