Prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicidality among children and adolescents with thalassemia major-A Turkish sample

ÖRENGÜL A. C., UCUZ İ., Battaloglu N. O., Ozek G., Gormez V.

CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE, vol.48, no.1, pp.120-129, 2019 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 48 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/02739615.2018.1500290
  • Journal Name: CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.120-129
  • Inonu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The current study examined psychiatric diagnoses and suicidality in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major via a semi-structured interview (K-SADS). Although 4 subjects were diagnosed with major depressive disorder, 24 subjects (40.7%) had depressed mood and irritability, whereas anhedonia and boredom were detected in 23 (39.0%) subjects. Suicidal thoughts were expectedly more prevalent (28.8%) than suicidal intention (5.1%) and suicide attempts (1.7%). Children with thalassemia major may be an under-risk population for subclinical forms of depression and suicidality. Offering routine screening for mental health problems can lead to early identification and treatment.