Suicides rise sharply in US kids, young adults-CDC

CHICAGO, Sep 7 (Reuters) Suicides among children and young adults rose by an alarming 8 percent in 2004, the largest rise in 15 years, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

In 2004, 4,599 children and adults aged 10 to 24 committed suicide, making it the third leading cause of death in that age group, the CDC said yesterday.

The suicide rate for 10 to 24-year-olds rose to 7.32 deaths per 100,000 in 2004 from 6.78 deaths per 100,000 in 2003.

''This is the biggest annual increase that we've seen in 15 years. We don't yet know if this is a short-lived increase or if it's the beginning of a trend,'' said Dr Ileana Arias, director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

In 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that the use of antidepressant drugs could increase the chances of suicidal thoughts or actions in children and teenagers. The warnings were added in a ''black box'' on the medications in October, 2004.

Millions of Americans take antidepressants.

Many psychiatrists have criticized the warnings, saying they scare people away from effective treatment and may have contributed to an increase in suicide in recent years.

Prior to 2003, the suicide rate among youth aged 10 to 24 had fallen by 28.5 per cent over a 13-year period, from 1990 to 2003, the CDC said.

The report also noted a sharp rise in hanging or suffocation suicides among 10- to 14-year-old girls, which more than doubled between 2003 and 2004.

In 2004, about 161,000 youth and young adults between 10 and 24 received medical care for self-inflicted injuries in hospital emergency rooms across the nation.

''It is important for parents, health care professionals, and educators to recognize the warning signs of suicide in youth,'' said Dr Keri Lubell, who led the study.

''Parents and other caring adults should look for changes in youth such as talking about taking one's life, feeling sad or hopeless about the future. Also look for changes in eating or sleeping habits and even losing the desire to take part in favorite activities.'' REUTERS ARB HS0925