Neurological disorders encountered in a pediatric emergency department

Neurological disorders are one of the reasons for admission in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). We aimed to evaluate the frequency of neurological disorders seen in a large tertiary PED.

We conducted a one-year retrospective study that included 1471 medical records. Inclusion was based on the main complaint recorded by nurses at triage. We also retrieved the final diagnoses and the investigations performed in the PED.

About 3.4% of the yearly admissions was based on a neurologic complaint on arrival. The final diagnosis was of a neurologic disorder in 1237 children, 2% of which were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. An opinion from a child neurologist was requested for 33% of the children. Seizures were the most frequent reason for admission, followed by headaches. A previous visit to the PED in the past six months was a frequent finding (40%), and about one third of the patients with a neurologic diagnosis (except headaches) was already being followed by a child neurologist.

Neurological disorders are frequent in our PED and are mainly represented by seizures and headaches. Appropriate training in epileptology might be helpful for healthcare professional working in PEDs.