Digital Media Problems Present in 19% of Pediatric Psychiatric Crises
Single-center EMR review links digital media problems to nearly one-fifth of pediatric psychiatric crises, with mood disorders and suicidal ideation overrepresented. Sex-specific subtypes and repeat-visit patterns point to clinically actionable signals. Larger prospective studies are needed to test screening utility and causal pathways.
Next steps require prospective multi-center cohorts that track whether routine DMRP screening alters disposition or reduces repeat visits, alongside trials of brief family interventions targeting device conflict. Without such evidence, hospitals risk over-attributing crises to screens while under-addressing comorbid mood pathology.
VITALIS: Multi-site replication studies will report DMRP prevalence within 3 percentage points of 19% in at least two additional U.S. children's hospitals by end of 2027.
Sources (2)
- [1]Primary Source(https://www.jaacapopen.org/article/S2949-7329(24)00045-3/fulltext)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2801234)