A 6-year retrospective review of psychiatric emergency service utilization by school-age children.

To explore utilization patterns and associated clinical factors of school-age children who present to a psychiatric emergency department. This was a 6-year retrospective chart review study of children 5-12 years of age who presented to a psychiatric emergency service from July 2012 to June 2018 (n = 1654 patients). Demographic variables, clinical diagnoses, lifetime adverse events (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and bullying), and history of self-harm were documented for each visit. We performed a chi square analysis to identify association between demographic and clinical features with key outcomes. Increased service utilization as defined by inpatient psychiatric admission, recurrent visits, or increased length of stay were found in patients who were adopted, presented with suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors, had a history of abuse, and had a diagnosis of depression or autism. Trends over the course of the study indicated a significantly increased percentage of patients presenting with suicidal ideation, bullying, and self-harm behaviors. The data add to the limited literature regarding school-age children with a psychiatric emergency. Increased emergency service utilization for certain subgroups of children and trends over the course of the study underscore the need for enhanced treatment options for individuals with certain demographic or clinical features, and increased outpatient, intermediate, and inpatient treatment options, as well as preventative care.

A Man Made Manic: Levodopa-Carbidopa-Induced Mania in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has had increased notoriety in light of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in professional sports. However, despite the increased rate at which mood disorders affect this population, there remains little information on management of these disorders. TBI has also been implicated in the development of Parkinson disease, increasing the likelihood that patients may be treated with dopaminergic agents. Management of coexisting pathologies can become challenging, especially when confounded by medication side effects. A case is presented of a 58-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital in a manic state 15 years after having suffered a closed head injury. Several psychiatric admissions during the past 2 years were noted, with various diagnoses including different iterations of bipolar disorder. Among his medications, levodopa-carbidopa was present for an unsubstantiated Parkinson disease diagnosis. His mania resolved after discontinuation of the agent. This case is presented with a review of the relevant literature pertaining to the use of levodopa-carbidopa in this context, the use of other dopaminergic agents, and a biological hypothesis for the potential increased likelihood of manic symptoms in TBI patients who receive levodopa-carbidopa. Currently, there is a lack of research in this area, which emphasizes a need to review treatment guidelines for Parkinson disease patients with TBI.

Valproate Induced Hypertensive Urgency.

Valproate is a medication used in the treatment of seizures, bipolar disorder, migraines, and behavioral problems. Here we present a case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with hypertensive urgency after initiation of valproate. Primary treatment of his hypertension was ineffective. Blood pressure stabilization was achieved following discontinuation of valproate. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of developing hypertensive urgency with administration of valproate.