ABSTRACT

Objective:

In this study, it was aimed to identify sociodemographic features, reasons for application and distribution of psychiatric diagnoses within a sample of children and adolescents who had applied to the health committee of the center the research was conducted in.

Method:

Data from the charts of 395 children and adolescents aged between 0-18 years who had applied to the health committee of our hospital between the dates June 2013 and October 2013, were analyzed retrospectively.

Results:

A total of 395 patients (68.1% male) were included in the study, with a mean age of 95.0 months (Range 4.0 to 301.0 months, SD = 46.1 months). The mean ages of the mothers and fathers were 34.5 (SD = 7.2) and 38.4 (SD = 8.1) years, respectively. Most of the mothers (66.1%) and fathers (60.2%) were primary school graduates and the majority of mothers (87.5%) were housewives while fathers (61.9%), were workers. The most common reason for application was a demand to be evaluated in order to collect special education reports (84.1 %). Postnatal (jaundice/ cyanosis/ non-breathing/ incubator care) problems were described in 27.6% of the cases. Most common diagnoses were developmental delay for cases between 0- 6 years of age, and mental retardation, for those between6-18 years of age.

Conclusion:

Determination of data about children and adolescents applying to the disabled child health committee will help establish better clinical approach to these cases in child psychiatry practice, as well as contribute to set novel and improved care plan for disabled children and adolescents. Our fi ndings need to be supported by further research, where samples from other centers are also evaluated.