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[Prehospital emergencies (emergencies and acute cases) in childhood]
H Stopfkuchen1, C Wollermann, W Krämer
1Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Mainz.
Insights
Acute life-threatening emergencies in children are rare in Germany, with pediatricians primarily managing these prehospital events. Most healthcare providers are well-versed in treating common pediatric emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
Context:
- Prehospital emergency care for children is a critical aspect of pediatric medicine.
- Understanding the incidence and characteristics of pediatric emergencies is essential for resource allocation and training.
- This study focuses on a specific urban population in Germany to provide localized data.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence and management strategies for prehospital emergencies in children.
- To analyze the types of emergencies, age distribution, and healthcare provider involvement.
- To assess the accuracy of initial diagnoses and the severity of pediatric prehospital emergencies.
Summary:
- A study in Mainz, Germany, identified 390 pediatric prehospital emergencies between November 1994 and March 1995.
- The majority (62%) occurred in children aged 0-3 years, with 85% happening at home.
- Pediatricians provided care in 71% of cases, and 12% of emergencies were acute and life-threatening.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that acute, life-threatening emergencies in children are infrequent in Germany.
- Paediatricians play a central role in managing pediatric prehospital emergencies.
- Healthcare professionals demonstrate adequate familiarity with common prehospital emergency conditions in young children.
Objective:
To determine incidence and management of prehospital emergencies in children.
Methods:
Between November 15, 1994 and March 14, 1995 in the City of Mainz (200,000 inhabitants) children with the diagnosis of a prehospital emergency were identified.
Results:
390 children were discovered, 62% in the age group 0-3 years. 85% of the emergency conditions occurred at home. In 71% the medical practitioner providing prehospital care was a paediatrician, in 14% an emergency physician. 48% of the children were transported to the Children's Hospital by the parents. 32 different types of emergency were diagnosed, 8 types more than 10 times. A retrospective analysis of 386 emergencies demonstrated an acute life-threatening situation in 12%. Lacking a final diagnosis in 19%, first and final diagnosis were identical in 64% of all children evaluated.
Conclusions:
In Germany acute life-threatening emergencies are rare. Paediatricians are mainly involved also in the care of children with emergency conditions. Most pediatricians and nonpaediatricians are familiar with the relevant prehospital emergency conditions in the young children mainly concerned.