Are suicidal phenomena in children different to suicidal phenomena in adolescents? A six-year review.

Background:  There has been little published about the nature and frequency of suicidal phenomena in children compared to that of adolescents. Method:  Standardised information on all presentations with suicidal phenomena to the ChildrenÕs University Hospital, Dublin from 2002 to 2008 were retrospectively analysed from a centralised database. Results:  During the time period of the study, 401 young people presented for assessment, of whom 21.9% (N = 88) were under 12 years of age. Children differed from adolescents in terms of gender distribution, method of self-harm, and risk factors present. Conclusion:  Children under 12 are capable of displaying suicidal phenomena and differ considerably to adolescents in this regard.