Investigation of Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents Followed under Health Precaution

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents who were followed in the child psychiatry clinic in the scope of the health precaution, which is one of the protective and supportive measures of the Child Protection Law. 112 children and adolescents who were followed up at the child psychiatry clinic between 01.01.2020 and 01.01.2022 in the scope of health precaution, participated in this study. The clinic files and social examination reports of the participants were examined retrospectively. It was determined that the most common reasons for taking a health precaution decision are sexual abuse, deficiencies of basic needs/neglect and behavioral problems. Moreover, it showed that the rate of taking health precaution due to sexual abuse was higher in girls however the rate of that due to delinquency was more common in boys. It was determined that 72.3% of the children, who were followed up in the scope of health precaution, were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, and the most common psychiatric disorders were attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, specific learning disability and intellectual disability, respectively. In the group with psychiatric disorders, it was determined that the deficiencies of basic needs/neglect as a reason for taking health precaution, was significantly common and that the mothers of the children and adolescents in the group with psychiatric disorders had a higher rate of diagnosed psychiatric disorders. Given the fact that abuse and neglect come first among the reasons for the implementation of health precaution; it is vital to develop early intervention programs to protect children from neglect and abuse. Since the effects of neglect and abuse on children can be devastating and long lasting and as it is known that they are risk factors for many psychiatric disorders, regular follow-up and treatment of these children in the scope of health precaution is important.