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Delayed presentation to regular Dutch paediatric care in COVID-19 times: a national survey
Danielle E M C Jansen1,2, Károly E Illy3,4
1Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Pediatricians reported collateral harm in children during COVID-19, including acute physical and social issues, and diabetic ketoacidosis in older children. Delayed medical care led to severe illness and fatalities, necessitating new strategies to prevent future harm.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine healthcare, potentially leading to adverse outcomes in children.
- Paediatricians' experiences offer valuable insights into the collateral harm affecting child health during this period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and document the collateral harm experienced by Dutch children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify the types of harm and affected age groups based on paediatrician reports.
Main Methods:
- An open question was distributed via the Dutch Paediatric Society website to collect reports.
- Data collection occurred from late March to early July, gathering 51 reports of collateral harm.
Main Results:
- Collateral harm predominantly affected very young children, manifesting as acute physical and social problems.
- Older children experienced severe conditions, including multiple cases of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Delayed medical care was linked to critically ill children, life-threatening situations, and, in some instances, death.
Conclusions:
- Delaying essential medical care for children during health crises can result in severe, life-threatening conditions and mortality.
- Collaboration between general care providers and paediatricians is crucial for developing new working methods to prevent harm during future peaks.
- Systematic data collection on collateral harm in children is essential for effective intervention and safeguarding child health.
Abstract:
We explored the collateral harm in Dutch children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic from experience of paediatricians via an open question distributed via the website of the Dutch Paediatric Society. From the end of March till the first week of July, we received 51 reports of collateral harm involving mostly very young children with mainly acute physical problems but also social problems. In older children, several cases of diabetic ketoacidosis were reported. Our results show that delaying care can lead to seriously ill children, life-threatening situations and that in some cases it can even lead to death. If we want to avoid such a delay at a possible second peak of Corona, general care providers and paediatricians have to join forces and find new ways of working. Systematic data collection of collateral harm in children is needed to be able to intervene adequately.
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