Trends in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Emergency Consultations and Length of Stay at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels (2021–2023)

Details

Supervisors

Smith, Pierre

Faculty

Faculté de santé publique

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de la santé publique, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enIntroduction: Child and adolescent mental health issues are on the rise globally, with emergency departments playing an increasingly central role in crisis care. While several international studies have documented surges in youth mental health emergencies, Belgian data remain fragmented and often lack age-specific detail. This study aims to assess how the frequency, clinical characteristics, and length of stay (LOS) of psychiatric emergency consultations among youth evolved between 2021 and 2023, and how these patterns compared to those observed in other age groups. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 10,181 psychiatric emergency visits (including 994 under-18 cases) recorded between January 2021 and December 2023. Sociodemographic, diagnostic, and clinical data were extracted from anonymized medical records. We used descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses, followed by negative binomial regression models for consultation volume and generalized linear models (GLMs) for the LOS. Models were run for all patients and for minors separately. Results: Mood and anxiety disorders were the most frequent diagnoses in both the general sample and among minors, though adolescents more commonly presented with suicidal behaviors. While overall consultation volumes increased over time—particularly among young adults—the number of minors presenting to emergency psychiatric care remained stable. In both groups, IS3 (moderate severity) was the most frequent triage level. Length of stay (LOS) increased progressively across quarters in the full sample but was more variable among minors. Sex and triage severity had a stronger influence in the full sample: LOS was significantly longer for women and for patients with lower IS scores (indicating higher clinical severity). Among minors, these associations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Between 2021 and 2023, psychiatric emergency activity increased overall, particularly among young adults, while consultation volumes among minors remained stable. Although certain diagnostic and temporal patterns were shared across age groups, differences emerged in the factors associated with length of stay and consultation frequency. These findings underscore the importance of analyzing child and adolescent psychiatric emergencies in relation to broader age trends, in order to inform age-responsive planning and service organization.