Evaluation of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Consultations in a University Hospital

Objective:

Main objective was to address the issue by presenting the reasons of child and adolescent psychiatry consultations, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of the cases and the treatments suggested

Method:

The records of patients hospitalized in Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between the dates 01.01.2012 and 31.12.2012 that were consulted to the child and adolescent psychiatry unit during their inpatient stay were examined retrospecitvely.

Results:

In the past year, 240 child and adolescent psychiatry consultations were requested. 51.3% (n = 123) of the cases were male, 48.8% (n = 117) were female. While mean age was 11.3 years, most of the patients (50.4%) were between 13-16 years of age. Eighty nine point two percent of these consultations (n = 127) were requested from inpatient units of the paediatrics division. Patients who were consulted from surgery units made 0.6% of children and adolescents who were hospitalized in these units. The most common reason for consultation, was evaluation in terms of adherence to treatment for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, in 15.4% (n = 37) of the cases. Forty point four percent (n = 97) of the patients had not met the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. While anxiolytic drugs were frequently prefered in treatment, hydroxyzine was the most prescribed medication with 10.4% (n = 25) rate. In addition, it was observed that in 7 patients (2.9%), multiple psychotropic drugs were selected.

Dis-cussion:

The results of this study point out that the number of consultations requested from the child and adolescent psychiatry unit and in relevance, the need forpediatric consultation liaisonpsychiatry units are on the increase. Also, the small number of consulted patients from other units except paediatrics division indicate that there still has not been enough awareness on consultation liaison psychiatry practice. Holding more educational meetings on this issue might contribute to enhancing the cooperation between clinics.