Autolesiones y conducta suicida en niños y adolescentes. Lo que la pandemia nos ha desvelado / Self-injury and suicidal behavior in children and youth population: Learning from the pandemic

Introducción: Las conductas suicidas y las autolesiones están aumentando en niños y adolescentes. Las autolesiones no suicidas suponen un método disfuncional de regulación emocional. Es importante aprender a distinguirlas de las conductas suicidas. Material y métodos: Revisión narrativa de la situación actual sobre suicidio y autolesiones en España. Estudio descriptivo conductas suicidas en urgencias pediátricas. Resultados: En un estudio multicéntrico de la Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (SEUP) se analizaron las consultas por salud mental (marzo-2019 a marzo-2020 y marzo-2020 a marzo-2021), encontrándose un aumento del 122% del diagnóstico «intoxicación no accidental por fármacos» y del 56% en «suicidio/intento de suicidio/ideación autolítica». En otro análisis prospectivo, se registraron 281 tentativas, siendo el perfil de paciente: sexo femenino (90,1%), 14,8 años, el 34,9% sin diagnóstico psiquiátrico previo, el 57,7% con conductas suicidas anteriormente. La presencia de trastornos psiquiátricos, en especial de depresión, y de intentos previos, son los factores de riesgo más implicados en la conducta suicida, aunque existen otros de índole diversa (familiares, personales o sociales). Los pediatras deben estar formados para atender consultas sobre suicidio, y adquirir habilidades para realizar una entrevista con actitud de apoyo y empatía. En España los planes de prevención de suicidio son heterogéneos y no existe un plan nacional de prevención del suicidio. Conclusiones: Se deben reforzar los recursos de atención primaria, hospitalaria y de salud mental de la población pediátrica. Los centros escolares y la formación en psiquiatría infantil y adolescente para médicos y enfermeras resultan cruciales en la prevención del suicidio en niños y adolescentes. (AU)

Introduction: Suicidal behavior and self-harm are increasing in children and adolescents. Non-suicidal self-harm are a dysfunctional method of emotional regulation, and it must be distinguished from suicidal behaviors. Methods: Narrative review of the current situation on suicide and self-harm in Spain. Descriptive study of suicidal behaviors in pediatric emergencies. Results: Mental health consultations were analyzed (March-2019 to March-2020 and March-2020 to March-2021) in a multicentric study of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies (SEUP), finding a 122% increase of the diagnosis of «non-accidental drug intoxication» and 56% of «suicide/suicide attempt/suicidal ideation». In another prospective analysis, 281 attempts were recorded, with the patient profile being: female (90.1%), 14.8 years old, 34.9% without previous psychiatric diagnosis; 57.7% with previous suicidal behavior. The presence of psychiatric disorders, especially depression, and previous attempts, are the best-known risk factors for suicidal behavior, although other factors are involved (family, personal or social). Pediatricians should be trained to deal with questions about suicide and acquire the skills to conduct an interview with a supportive and empathetic attitude. In Spain, suicide prevention plans are heterogeneous among communities, and there is not a unified national suicide prevention plan. Conclusions: Primary, hospital and mental health care resources for pediatric population should be strengthened to prevent suicidal behaviors. Specific training for school staff, and child and adolescent psychiatry training for pediatricians and nurses are crucial in the prevention of suicide in children and adolescent population. (AU)

Self-injury and suicidal behavior in children and youth population: Learning from the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Suicidal behaviour and self-harm are increasing in children and adolescents. Non-suicidal self-harm are a dysfunctional method of emotional regulation, and it must be distinguished from suicidal behaviours. METHODS: Narrative review of the current situation on suicide and self-harm in Spain. Descriptive study of suicidal behaviours in paediatric emergencies. RESULTS: Mental health consultations were analysed (March-2019 to March-2020 and March-2020 to March-2021) in a multicentric study of the SEUP (Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies), finding a 122 % increase of the diagnosis of "non-accidental drug intoxication" and 56 % of "suicide/suicide attempt/suicidal ideation". In another prospective analysis, 281 attempts were recorded, with the patient profile being: female (90.1 %), 14.8 years old, 34.9 % without previous psychiatric diagnosis; 57.7% with previous suicidal behaviour. The presence of psychiatric disorders, especially depression, and previous attempts, are the best-known risk factors for suicidal behaviour, although other factors are involved (family, personal or social). Pediatricians should be trained to deal with questions about suicide and acquire the skills to conduct an interview with a supportive and empathetic attitude. In Spain, suicide prevention plans are heterogeneous among communities, and there is not a unified national suicide prevention plan. CONCLUSIONS: Primary, hospital and mental health care resources for paediatric population should be strengthened to prevent suicidal behaviours. Specific training for school staff, and child and adolescent psychiatry training for paediatricians and nurses are crucial in the prevention of suicide in children and adolescent population.