Referral Patterns, Pathways to Care, Symptom Profile, and Diagnoses of Children Attending a Child Psychiatry Unit in South India: A Retrospective Chart Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Childhood mental disorders are a major global concern, particularly in India. Despite efforts to establish child psychiatry services, the treatment gap persists. This study investigates referral patterns, pathways to care, and diagnostic trends among children attending a child psychiatry unit (CPU).

Methods

A retrospective chart review (2017-2022) was conducted at the CPU of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. Two investigators analyzed 1,046 files, extracting data on demographics, pathways to care, reasons for referral, and diagnoses. Inter-rater reliability was confirmed, and associations between pathways to care, diagnosis, and demographics were examined.

Results

This study included children with a mean age of 11.2 years, predominantly male (63.2%). Most

SUBMITTER: Vishwanath R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11999983 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature