“I DON’T WANT TO BRING SHAME UPON MY FAMILY”: A CASE OF SUICIDE IN AN ADOLESCENT GIRL.

Abstract

Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years. The rate decreased during the 1990s but increased again in the early 2000s. Case report: A 16-year-old girl presented with a six day history of ingestion of herbicide, three days history of vomiting of blood and two days history of yellowish discoloration of the eyes. She was three months pregnant and ingested herbicide to kill herself so as to prevent bringing shame on her family. She started vomiting after taking the poison, it contained recently ingested foods, and she had several episodes, volume of 20-30mls per vomitus. However, 3 days later the vomitus became bloody with clots of blood, there was also history of passage of melaena stools. She developed yellowish discolouration of the eyes 2 days prior to presentation and severe body weakness. All other systemic reviews were nil of note. On examination, she was severely pale, icteric, with petechial haemorrhages on her tongue. Pulse Rate (PR) -112bpm, Blood Pressure (BP) - 120/80mmHg, Respiratory Rate (RR) -30cpm. Abdomen was gravidly enlarged about 18weeks size, with epigastric tenderness Diagnosis was attempted suicide with severe anaemia due to upper GI bleeding. Results: PCV-24%, E/U/Cr- Deranged, LFT- Deranged. Treatment: IV N/S and Omeprazole, Vitamin C and E. She was started on blood transfusion, howbeit; she became dyspnoeic and was saturating at 31%. Patient started gasping and died 12hrs on admission despite resuscitative measures. Conclusion- The rate of suicide among young people is on the increase and efforts should be put in place to stem this trend.