Clinical and parental characteristics of hospitalization in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the inpatient and outpatient cases diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to show which factors were more associated with hospitalization in children and adolescents.
METHODS: We included 85 outpatient and 34 inpatient children and adolescents with ASD. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed with the K-SADS-PL. Factors relevant with hospitalization of ASD cases were evaluated with logistic regression model.
RESULTS: CARS scores (p=0.002), comorbid psychopathology (p=0.04), multiple psychotropic medication (p=0.001), and psychopathology of the parents (p<0.001) and sibling (p=0.029) were higher, and education level of mothers (p=0.017) were lower in Inpatient-ASD group. The logistic regression model showed that psychopathology of the mother (OR=10.293, p<0.001) was associated with psychiatric hospitalization.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is very important to have providing psychiatric and psychosocial support to especially mothers during inpatient treatment process besides outpatient family support.