Self-harm in children 12  years and younger: characteristics and outcomes based on the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England

ConclusionsGender patterns of self-harm until age 11  years are different to those of adolescents, with a male preponderance, especially in 5–10 years, and hanging/suffocation being more common. The frequent use of self-poisoning in this age group highlights the need for public health messages to encourage safer household storage of medicines. Sel f-harm in children is strongly associated with socioeconomic deprivation; understanding the mechanisms involved could be important in effective prevention.
Source: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research