An Examination of the Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics if Cases Presenting to the Child Psychiatry Clinicaifter the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Authors : Nur Seda Gülcü Üstün

Pages : 317-323

Doi:10.35440/hutfd.1607458

View : 31 | Download : 54

Publication Date : 2025-06-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background: On February 6, 2023, two devastating earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 struck Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Children and adolescents are among the most vulnerable groups to experi-ence significant psychosocial impacts following such disasters. Given Türkiye\\\'s large pediatric popula-tion, understanding the mental health outcomes in this group is of national importance. Post-earthquake psychiatric symptoms and disorders in children may include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, behavioral issues, cognitive regression, attention deficits, academic de-cline, and learning difficulties. This study aims to contribute to the literature by examining the socio-demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, psychiatric diagnoses, and treatment approaches among pediatric patients affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 164 children and adolescents who were diagnosed under ICD code X34 (victims of earthquake) and presented to Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital the child psychiatry outpatient clinic between February 2023 and February 2024. Results: The most common presenting complaints were anxiety, school avoidance, and earthquake-related fears (31.1%). The most frequently identified psychiatric conditions were neurodevelopmental disorders (totaling 34.1%), including ADHD (17.6%), intellectual disability (7.3%), autism spectrum disorder (4.3%), and specific learning disorder (3.6%), as well as anxiety disorders (15.9%). Acute stress disorder, according to DSM-5, was diagnosed in 66% of the cases. Conclusions: As expected, there was a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental and internalizing psy-chiatric disorders following the earthquakes. Prospective, long-term follow-up studies assessing the enduring impact of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on children and adolescents in Türkiye are war-ranted.
Keywords : afet, travma, deprem, Türkiye, çocuk psikiyatrisi, ergen ruh sağlığı

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