National Trends in Hospitalization of Youth With Intentional Self-Inflicted Injuries

The authors examined national trends from 1990-2000 in the utilization of community based hospital inpatient services by young people (5-20 years) with self-inflicted injuries. The annual hospitalization rate declined from 49.1 per 100,000 in 1990 to 44.9 per 100,000 in 2000. Over the decade of study, these young people tended to have more severe psychiatric diagnoses & to be treated during shorter inpatient stays. Trends suggest that the role of youth inpatient care has narrowed, focussing on those with severe psychiatric disorders. (55 refs.)