Demographic & Clinical Correlates of Admission into a Specialized Psychiatric Inpatient Service for Children and Adolescents in Egypt: An Observational Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: To our knowledge, this is the first study that aims to investigate the demographic and clinical correlates of admission into a specialized inpatient psychiatric unit for children and adolescents in Egypt and the Arab world. Methods: The files of all new cases who presented for care in the outpatient service for children and adolescents in Tanta University between July 2017 and December 2019 were reviewed. Of the 1195 files reviewed, 100 patients were admitted to the inpatient unit for 133 admission episodes with an average duration of 18.5 days per episode. Results: The most common diagnosis among admitted youth was disruptive behavior disorder but having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, eating disorder, or trauma related disorders predicted admission more powerfully than did the diagnosis of disruptive behavior disorder. Physical and sexual abuse were both associated with higher rates of admission, readmission and longer duration of admission.Conclusions: Except for having more percentage of youth with disruptive behavior disorders, and less percentage of those with eating disorders, the characteristics of youth in need for admission into psychiatric inpatient unit is comparable to those reported in other parts of the world.