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Published on: April 7, 2023
Paediatric Emergencies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
María Isabel Lázaro Carreño1, Ana Barrés Fernández1, Diannet Quintero García1
1Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Spanish emergency departments saw an 84.5% decrease in pediatric visits. Fear of contagion and lifestyle changes likely contributed to fewer, less urgent visits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted government-mandated lockdowns and restructuring of healthcare services.
- Emergency Departments (EDs) implemented new protocols, including pre-triage stations and separate circuits for suspected COVID-19 cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 state of alarm on pediatric emergency department visits in Spain.
- To evaluate changes in patient volume, urgency levels, and the characteristics of children presenting with suspected COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric ED visits before and during the COVID-19 state of alarm.
- Implementation of a pre-triage system with distinct pathways for suspected and non-suspected COVID-19 cases.
- Categorization of patients based on symptoms like fever and respiratory issues.
Main Results:
- A significant 84.5% reduction in overall pediatric ED visits was observed during the alarm state.
- No increase in the severity or urgency of presented cases.
- 40.97% of pediatric patients were classified as suspected COVID-19 cases.
- Distinct patient profiles emerged between suspected and non-suspected COVID-19 groups based on symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 lockdown and associated public behavior significantly altered pediatric emergency care utilization.
- Parental fear of contagion likely deterred non-essential visits, redirecting cases to primary care or self-resolution.
- EDs successfully adapted with new triage systems to manage the pandemic's impact on pediatric services.
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