Research Article

Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital

Volume: 16 Number: 1 January 23, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate referral pathways to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in a city hospital for consultation-liaison and to determine the relationship between demographic characteristics, referral sources, presenting problems, diagnoses, and treatments. Material and methods: This study was conducted through a retrospective review of the medical records of 616 children and adolescents who presented to Başakşehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 and requested a child psychiatric consultation. In addition to the sociodemographic data of the patients, data regarding the units requesting consultations, consultation reasons, psychiatric and physical diagnoses of the children, and treatment recommendations were assessed. SPSS 27.0 package program was used for data analysis. Results: Child and adolescent psychiatry consultations comprised 0.14% of pediatric emergency visits, 2.07% of inpatients under 18 years of age, and 0.016% of pediatric outpatients. Among referrals, 51.8% (n=319) were male and 72.4% (n=446) were ≥12 years. Leading indications were suicide attempts (13.3%; more common in girls), the need for psychiatric assessment (13%), and depressive symptoms (8.8%; more common in boys). Depressive disorders (13.3%) and substance/drug use (9.7%) were the most frequent diagnoses. Psychotropics were recommended in 47.9% (n=295), predominantly atypical antipsychotics (29.2%). Conclusion: Psychiatric comorbidity, especially depression, is prevalent among medically ill children. Integrating physical and mental health assessment and strengthening collaboration between child psychiatry and other departments may improve outcomes and service quality.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The Ethics Committee of Başakşehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital approved the study with protocol code 2024-312 dated 07.01.2025

References

  1. 1. Özkan S. Konsültasyon liyezon psikiyatrisi; kavramlar, kurumsallaşma, uygulama. Turkiye Klinikleri J Int Med Sci. 2006;2(47):1-13.
  2. 2. Köroğlu E, Güleç C, Şenol S. Psikiyatri temel kitabı. 2nd ed. Ankara: HYB Basım Yayın. 2007.
  3. 3. Steiner H. Developmental approaches to the patient with pediatric and psychiatric comorbidity. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1999;4(3):309-24. doi:10.1177/1359104599004003002.
  4. 4. Hofmann A. Chronic illness and hospitalization. In: Adolescent medicine. 3rd ed. Stamford (CT): Appleton & Lange; 1997. p. 913.
  5. 5. Goldberg S, Janus M, Washington J, Simmons RJ, MacLusky I, Fowler RS. Prediction of preschool behavioral problems in healthy and pediatric samples. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1997;18(5):304-13. doi:10.1097/00004703-199710000-00004.
  6. 6. Lewis M. The consultation process in child and adolescent psychiatric consultation-liaison in pediatrics. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 1994;3(3):439-48.
  7. 7. Gortmaker SL, Walker DK, Weitzman M, Sobol AM. Chronic conditions, socioeconomic risks, and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 1990;85(3):267-76.
  8. 8. Steiner H, Shaw R. Psychiatric assessment and management of medically ill children. In: Stoudemire A, Fogel BS, Greenberg DB, editors. Psychiatric care of the medical patient. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press; 2000.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 23, 2026

Submission Date

March 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

APA
Alınay, H. H., & Kasar, N. (2026). Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital. Value in Health Sciences, 16(1), 127-134. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1649736
AMA
1.Alınay HH, Kasar N. Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital. VHS. 2026;16(1):127-134. doi:10.33631/sabd.1649736
Chicago
Alınay, Hanım Hülya, and Nurdan Kasar. 2026. “Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital”. Value in Health Sciences 16 (1): 127-34. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1649736.
EndNote
Alınay HH, Kasar N (January 1, 2026) Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital. Value in Health Sciences 16 1 127–134.
IEEE
[1]H. H. Alınay and N. Kasar, “Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital”, VHS, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 127–134, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.33631/sabd.1649736.
ISNAD
Alınay, Hanım Hülya - Kasar, Nurdan. “Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital”. Value in Health Sciences 16/1 (January 1, 2026): 127-134. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1649736.
JAMA
1.Alınay HH, Kasar N. Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital. VHS. 2026;16:127–134.
MLA
Alınay, Hanım Hülya, and Nurdan Kasar. “Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital”. Value in Health Sciences, vol. 16, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 127-34, doi:10.33631/sabd.1649736.
Vancouver
1.Hanım Hülya Alınay, Nurdan Kasar. Evaluation of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in a City Hospital. VHS. 2026 Jan. 1;16(1):127-34. doi:10.33631/sabd.1649736