Anales de pediatría : publicación oficial de la Asociación Española de Pediatría (A.E.P.)
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In the last few years, a marked increase in the number of psychiatric emergencies treated at pediatric emergency departments has been observed. The aim of the present study was to characterize these patients. ⋯ The incidence of psychiatric disorders in our pediatric emergency department was low. The patients were aged 11-15 years old, without differences between the sexes. Peak demand was reached on Mondays in January and February, at the end of the evening and beginning of the night. The most common diagnosis was behavioral disorder. The hospitalization rate was exceptionally high, more than 6 times higher than the average in our hospital.
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To assess physicians' awareness and experience of ethical problems that arise when dealing with critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). ⋯ Ethical dilemmas are common in the PICU. In this setting, decisions about limitation of therapy are frequent, although many physicians admit to not being clear on this issue or on other aspects of clinical ethics. Family members' participation in the decision making process is insufficient in Spanish PICUs.