Suicidal Ideation in Pediatric Orthopaedic Patients
Whitney M Herge1, Rusty L Hartman1, Ayana Fairweather1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scottish Rite for Children, Dallas, Texas.
JB & JS Open Access
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Suicidal ideation (SI) affects 2.4% of pediatric orthopaedic patients. Black females with chronic pain and mental health conditions face higher risks, highlighting a need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopaedics
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents.
- Children with medical conditions have increased suicidal ideation.
- Suicidality in pediatric orthopaedic patients remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) in pediatric orthopaedic patients.
- Identify risk factors associated with SI in this population.
- Inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of over 19,000 patient encounters.
- Analysis of demographic data, chief complaints, and pain characteristics.
- Utilized the Ask Suicide-Screening Questionnaire for SI assessment.
Main Results:
- 2.4% of patients screened positive for SI; 4.9% of those had active SI.
- Patients with SI were more likely to be female, Black, and present with pain.
- Psychotropic medication use, prior psychological diagnoses, and chronic pain increased SI risk.
Conclusions:
- Suicidal ideation is present in 2.4% of adolescent orthopaedic patients.
- Black females with chronic pain and mental health issues are at elevated risk.
- Early identification and support are crucial for at-risk pediatric patients.
