WIP 61 - Correlation Between ACE Scores and Suicidal Behavior Among Pediatric Patients

Poster Number: WIP 61
Publication Number: WIP 61.2397

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) are traumatic events that occur in childhood. In 2019, CDC published results from a survey showing that 1 in 6 adults reported experiencing 4 or more ACE in their lifetime. Prior studies have identified that childhood adversities are associated with an increased risk of suicidality. Suicide is among the leading causes of death; it is identified as the 3rd leading cause of death in children 1–14 years and the 2nd leading cause of death in those aged 15–19. Currently, studies attempting to understand the association between childhood adversities and suicidality are limited. Understanding the association between ACE and suicidality can help identify at-risk youth, so services can be aimed at prevention, improved health outcomes and a decrease in pediatric mental health burden.

Objective: The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the association between ACE score and suicidality in patients aged 5–18 years presenting to a US academic children’s hospital ED. The secondary aim is to identify if there is an association between individual ACE items and suicidality regardless of total ACE score. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a better understanding about the association of childhood adversities and suicidal behavior. By knowing this information, providers who screen children for ACE will be able to identify at-risk pediatric patients and facilitate access to effective and timely prevention and treatment strategies.

Design/Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review; data will be extracted from 1–5 years retrospectively to reach a sample size of 2200. Suicidality will be assessed using information gathered from the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale administered during evaluation in the ED. ACE score will be assessed using information from the patient evaluation in the ED. Data analysis will be conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables, and two independent samples t-test for continuous variables or Wilcoxon rank sum test if the data show departure from normality.