The presentation of aggressive children and adolescents to emergency departments in Western Sydney.

Abstract

AIM: To examine the utilization characteristics of children and adolescents with aggression presenting to emergency departments (ED) in Western Sydney. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children and adolescents who presented with aggression to five non-psychiatric emergency departments over a 5-year period. Data were linked with the National Coroner's Information System Database. RESULTS: There were 279 index presentations by children and adolescents (66% male) with aggression. One hundred and seventeen (42%) were 14 years or under. The majority presented after working hours and/or on weekends (62%). Fifty-three percent of presentations had a self-harm component. In 26% of presentations..