Clinical and Parental Characteristics of Hospitalization in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare inpatient and outpatient cases diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to show which factors were more associated with hospitalization in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: We included 85 outpatient and 34 inpatient children and adolescents with ASD. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed with the K-SADS-PL. Factors relevant to the hospitalization of ASD cases were evaluated with a logistic regression model. Results: The Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores (p=0.002), comorbid psychopathology (p=0.04), multiple psychotropic medication (p=0.001), and psychopathology of the parents (p<0.001) and siblings (p=0.029) were higher, and the education levels of the mothers (p=0.017) were lower in the inpatient-ASD group. The logistic regression model showed that the psychopathology of the mother (odds ratio=10.293, p<0.001) was associated with psychiatric hospitalization. Conclusion: It is very important to provide psychiatric and psychosocial support especially to mothers during the inpatient treatment process in addition to outpatient family support.

Keywords

• child and adolescent mental health
• neurodevelopmental disorder
• autism spectrum disorder
• hospitalization
• mental health service