Evaluation of attempted suicide events through oral intake among children in a metropolitan city: A single-center study

Objective: Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization’s latest estimates. This study aims to evaluate sociodemographic data, the causes of suicide attempts, the methods employed in suicide attempts, and the factors that increase the likelihood of the recurrence of suicide attempts. Method: This retrospective study was conducted among children who were hospitalized for attempting suicide between 2017 and 2022. Sociodemographic data, presence of a chronic illness or psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, reasons for suicide attempts, and the methods of suicide attempts were documented in the patients’ files. Results: 114 children who attempted suicide (mean age 15.7 ±1.6 years, 93 female)) had been enrolled in the study. Most of those children were high school graduates (n=75, 65.8%). Almost all of the children attempted suicide by drug overdose, and 51.8% of them consumed multiple drugs. The most common drugs used for suicide attempts were antipsychotics (35.1%), antidepressants (32.5%), and analgesics/antipyretics (29.8%). Arguing with a family member was the most frequent reason for suicide attempts. Psychiatric disorder diagnosis was detected in 38.6% of the children, and depression was the most common prevalent psychiatric disorder. Important risk factors for the recurrence of suicide attempts were determined to be the presence of diagnosed psychiatric disorders (95%CI, 1.289-9.657; p=0.014) and a family history of attempted suicide (95% CI, 2.559-92.781; p=0.003). Conclusion: Identifying the factors that contribute to suicide attempts in children and providing appropriate support and treatment are crucial for preventing suicide attempts, which are a serious health concern.