Psychiatric hospitalizations of children and adolescents: a single-center retrospective study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2026.v16.1623Keywords:
Mental health, Hospitals, Psychiatric, Child, Adolescent, Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric DisordersAbstract
Introduction: Psychiatric hospitalization of children and adolescents is an important indicator of the severity of mental disorders and generally occurs when outpatient management is unsuccessful or when there is a risk of harm to the patient or others. Despite its relevance to public health, few studies have characterized the profile of psychiatric hospitalizations in this population. Objective: To describe the diagnostic and epidemiological profile of children and adolescents admitted to a specialized psychiatric hospital. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 218 patients younger than 18 years who were hospitalized between January 2020 and September 2025. Demographic characteristics, DSM-5-TR diagnoses, comorbidities, family psychiatric history, and hospitalization characteristics were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Results: The mean age was 14.1 years, with a predominance of patients aged 10 to 18 years (96.8%) and females (59.7%). Bipolar disorder was the most prevalent diagnosis (30.7%). Substance-related and addictive disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, disruptive behavior disorders, and autism spectrum disorder were more frequent among boys, whereas depressive and personality disorders were more prevalent among girls, with statistically significant differences. The readmission rate was 20.6%, and most hospitalizations occurred through the public healthcare system (80.7%). Conclusion: The profile of psychiatric hospitalizations among children and adolescents reflects greater clinical severity, with a predominance of affective disorders and significant differences according to sex and age. These findings underscore the need to strengthen outpatient mental health services and ensure continuity of care.
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