The association between suicide attempts (SAs) in parents and children is unclear, and risk indicators for intergenerational transmission remain undocumented. We aimed to assess this association, considering the child's developmental period at the time of parents' attempted suicide, and the parental relation.

Using a prospective cohort design, nationwide population data were linked to the Psychiatric Central Register and National Patient Register for all individuals aged 10 years or older living in Denmark between 1980 and 2016. We assessed incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and cumulative hazards for children's first SA.

In a cohort of 4 419 651 children, 163 056 (3.7%) had experienced a parental SA. An SA was recorded among 6996 (4.3%) of the exposed children as opposed to 70112 (1.6%) in unexposed individuals. Higher rates were noted when a parental SA occurred during early childhood (0 ⩽ age < 2) [IRR, 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2–5.4] v. late childhood (6 ⩽ age < 13) (IRR, 3.6; 95% CI 3.4–3.8) when compared to those unexposed. Children exposed prior to age 2 had the highest rates of all sub-groups when reaching age 13–17 (IRR, 6.5; 95% CI 6.0–7.1) and 18–25 years (IRR, 6.8; 95% CI 6.2–7.4). Maternal SA (IRR, 3.4; 95% CI 3.2–3.5) was associated with higher rates than paternal (IRR, 2.8; 95% CI 2.7–2.9).

Parental SA was associated with children's own SA. Exposure during early developmental stages was associated with the highest rates. Early preventive efforts are warranted as is monitoring of suicide risk in the children from age 13.

父母和孩子的自杀未遂 (SAs) 之间的关联尚不清楚，代际传播的风险指标仍未记录。我们的目的是评估这种关联，考虑到孩子在父母企图自杀时的发育阶段，以及父母的关系。

使用前瞻性队列设计，将 1980 年至 2016 年间居住在丹麦的所有 10 岁或以上个人的全国人口数据与精神病学中央登记册和国家患者登记册相关联。我们评估了儿童首次患精神病的发病率比 (IRR) 和累积危害SA。

在 4 419 651 名儿童的队列中，163 056 名 (3.7%) 经历过父母 SA。在 6996 名 (4.3%) 暴露的儿童中记录了 SA，而在未暴露的个体中记录了 70112 名 (1.6%)。当父母 SA 发生在儿童早期（0  年龄 < 2）时，注意到更高的发生率 [IRR，4.7；95% 置信区间 (CI) 4.2–5.4]与儿童晚期（6  年龄 < 13）（IRR，3.6；95% CI 3.4–3.8）相比未暴露的人群。2 岁之前暴露的儿童在达到 13-17 岁（IRR，6.5；95% CI 6.0-7.1）和 18-25 岁（IRR，6.8；95% CI 6.2-7.4）时在所有子组中的发生率最高. 母系 SA（IRR，3.4；95% CI 3.2-3.5）与父系（IRR，2.8；95% CI 2.7-2.9）相比具有更高的发生率。

父母的 SA 与孩子自己的 SA 相关联。早期发育阶段的接触率最高。早期预防工作是必要的，监测 13 岁以上儿童的自杀风险也是必要的。