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Decrease in paediatric emergency room visits during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions: A population-based study

Elina Wärnhjelm1, Mitja Lääperi2, Mikael Kuitunen1

  • 1University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|July 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric emergency room (ER) visits significantly decreased during COVID-19 restrictions, but children presenting were not more severely ill. These findings suggest no immediate negative health impacts from pandemic control measures on children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led to significant societal changes.
  • Understanding the impact of these restrictions on child health is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the immediate health effects of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on children.
  • To analyze trends in paediatric emergency room (ER) visits during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective examination of paediatric ER visits at Helsinki University Hospital.
  • Comparison of visits during the first COVID-19 wave (March-May 2020) with pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods (2015-2019 reference).

Main Results:

  • Total paediatric ER visits decreased by 23.4% during the pandemic period.
  • Decreases were primarily due to fewer infectious disease-related visits; surgical visits remained stable.
  • The severity of illness among children visiting the ER did not increase, and visits returned to baseline post-restrictions.

Conclusions:

  • Paediatric ER visits decreased during COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Children seeking emergency care were not more severely ill during this period.
  • The study indicates no immediate detrimental health effects of pandemic control measures on children.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19emergency careemergency departmenthealth carepaediatric

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