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Pediatric Injury Trends in Rhode Island During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jeffrey R Savarino1, Holly R Hanson2, Wendy J Pomerantz2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013)
|March 27, 2024
Summary
During COVID-19, pediatric emergency visits for injuries in Rhode Island decreased overall but increased proportionally. Key demographic and injury shifts occurred, indicating a need for targeted interventions for high-risk pediatric groups.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- National data showed decreased Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a rise in the proportion of injury-related visits.
- Limited data existed on these trends specifically within Rhode Island (RI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in pediatric injury-related visits to PEDs in Rhode Island before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify demographic, injury type, severity, and mechanism shifts in pediatric patients presenting with injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric (<18 years) injury-related visits to 40 PEDs in RI from January 2019 to December 2020.
- Comparison of pre-COVID-19 (March-December 2019) and COVID-19 (March-December 2020) periods, analyzing patient demographics, injury characteristics, and mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Total injury-related PED visits decreased by 31.4% from 2019 to 2020, but the proportion of these visits increased by 8.1%.
- The mean patient age decreased, with a higher proportion of female, privately insured, and non-Hispanic White children presenting in 2020.
- Significant increases were observed in trauma activations, admissions, and injuries due to intentional self-harm in 2020.
Conclusions:
- Rhode Island experienced a decrease in total injury-related PED visits but an increase in their proportion during the pandemic, mirroring national trends.
- Significant shifts in patient demographics, injury mechanisms, and intent were identified.
- These findings highlight crucial epidemiologic changes and identify high-risk pediatric populations requiring targeted educational programs and interventions.
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