Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T16:45:40.206Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Suicidal behaviour – does it exist in pre-school aged children?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Louise Connolly*
Affiliation:
St. Anne's Children's Centre, Taylor's Hill, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland

Abstract

When children under five years of age are assessed and investigated following an accidental injury or self-poisoning, the possibility of psychiatric disorder and indeed suicidal intent is rarely considered. We present a case of repeated self-induced poisonings in a five year old boy, who on psychiatric examination demonstrated serious psychopathology and expressed ambivalence in relation to suicidality. All such presentations should receive consideration as to whether a referral to child psychiatry is indicated. In the training of general practitioners, paediatricians and psychiatrists alike, attention should be given to this area.

Type
Case Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Shneidman, ES. Definition of Suicide. New York: Wiley, 1985.Google Scholar
2.Turkington, C. Child Suicide: An unspoken tragedy. Am Psychol Assoc Monitor 1983; 14: 15.Google Scholar
3.Paulson, MJ, Stone, D, Sposto, R. Suicidal potential and behaviour in children ages four to 12. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviour 1978(Winter); 8(4): 225–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Tishler, CL. Intentional self-destructive behaviour in children under age 10. Clin Paed 1980; 19(7): 451–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Rosenthal, Perihan A, Rosenthal, S. Suicidal behaviour by pre-school children. Am J Psychiatry 1984(April); 141(4): 520–5.Google Scholar
6.Rosenthal, Perihan A, Rosenthal, S, Doherty, Mairin B, Santora, D. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours in depressed hospitalised preschoolers. Am J Psychother 1986(April); XL(2): 201–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Doherty, Mairin B, Rosenthal, Perihan A. Depressive states in 11 psychiatrically hospitalised pre-schoolers: investigation and review. Child Psychiat Human Develop 1987: 6073.Google Scholar
8.Achenbach, TM. Manual for the child behaviour Checklist/4-18 and 1991 Profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry, 1991.Google Scholar
9.Matter, DE, Matter, RM. Suicide among elementary school children: a serious concern for counsellors. Elementary School Guidance and Counselling 1984; April: 260–67.Google Scholar
10.Pfeffer, CR, Trad, PV. Sadness and suicidal tendencies in pre-school children. Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics 1988(April); 9(2): 86–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Rosenthal, Perihan A, Rosenthal, S. Suicide among pre-schoolers: fact or fallacy? Children Today 1983; Nov-Dec: 21–4.Google ScholarPubMed
12. Central Statistics Office, Dublin. Registration of Deaths 1991-1995, classified by, cause and age group.Google Scholar
13.Toolan, JM. Suicide and suicidal in children and adolescents. Am J Psychiatry 1962; 118: 719–24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Fritz, GK. Attempted suicide in a five-year-old boy. Clinical Paediatrics 1980(July); 19(7): 448–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Pfeffer, CR, Zuckerman, S, Plutchnik, R, Mizruchi, MS. Suicidal behaviour in normal school children: a comparison with child psychiatric inpatients. J Amer Acad Child Psychiat 1984; 23(4): 416–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Pfeffer, CR, Conte, HR, Plutchik, R, Jerrett, I. Suicidal behaviour in latency-age children. J Am Acad Child Psychiat 1980; 18: 703–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar