The journal of mental health policy and economics
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J Ment Health Policy Econ · Sep 2011
National estimates of the inpatient burden of pediatric bipolar disorder in the United States.
Pediatric bipolar disorder (BPD) is a debilitating recurrent chronic mental illness, characterized by cycling states of depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed episodes. Similarly to adults, children and adolescents with BPD are typically treated with pharmacotherapy and adjunctive psychotherapy. Nevertheless, emergency-room visits and hospitalizations are common for those suffering from pediatric BPD. Previous studies have shown declining trends in mean inpatient costs and length of stay (LOS) in the hospital for children with BPD. ⋯ Further studies should be conducted to determine if average LOS and mean hospitalization cost remain consistent with declining trends or whether the increase between 2003 and 2006 represents a trend reversal.