Related Experiment Videos
Morbidity from 5 to 10 years
L J Horwood1, D M Fergusson, F T Shannon
1Christchurch Child Development Study, Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
Insights
This study tracked illness in Christchurch children aged 5-10 years, finding respiratory illness and accidents were common reasons for doctor visits and hospitalizations. These childhood health trends highlight key areas for medical attention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood illness patterns require ongoing surveillance for effective healthcare planning.
- Understanding common childhood conditions is crucial for resource allocation and preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence and incidence of illness in a birth cohort of Christchurch children aged 5-10 years.
- To identify the primary reasons for general practitioner (GP) consultations, hospital admissions, and outpatient attendances.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a birth cohort of children from Christchurch.
- Data collection on medical consultations, hospital admissions, and outpatient attendances between ages 5-10 years.
Main Results:
- Children averaged 12 GP consultations, with 26% hospitalized and 53% attending outpatient departments.
- Top reasons for GP visits included respiratory illness, skin lesions, accidents, gastrointestinal issues, and hearing problems.
- Respiratory illness, accidents, gastrointestinal conditions, genitourinary problems, and musculoskeletal issues led hospital admissions; accidents, respiratory illness, musculoskeletal problems, vision, and hearing issues dominated outpatient visits.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory illnesses and accidents are significant contributors to childhood healthcare utilization in this cohort.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and healthcare services addressing common pediatric conditions like respiratory issues and injuries.
Abstract:
The prevalence and incidence of illness was examined in a birth cohort of Christchurch children studied during the age range of 5-10 years. At this age, children had an average of 12 consultations with family doctors; 26% were admitted to hospital and 53% made one or more attendances at hospital outpatient departments. The majority of general practitioner contacts involved five groups of conditions: respiratory illness; integumental lesion; accidents; gastrointestinal conditions; and hearing problems. Hospital admissions were dominated by five types of admission: respiratory illness; accidents; gastrointestinal conditions; genito-urinary problems; musculoskeletal problems. More than two-thirds of outpatient attendances were accounted for by accidents, respiratory illness, musculoskeletal problems, vision problems, and hearing problems. Trends in rates of medical consultation for accidents and respiratory illness during the period from birth to 10 years are described and the implications of the findings are discussed.