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Trends in Emergency Department Admissions Due to Renal Colic in the Pediatric Population: A Multicenter Study
Dor Golomb1, Hanan Goldberg2, Paz Lotan3
1Department of Urology, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel.
Insights
Pediatric renal colic emergency department admissions showed a downward trend from 2010-2020. Unlike adults, pediatric renal colic visits were not linked to temperature or seasons.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric urolithiasis is uncommon, often linked to underlying abnormalities.
- Adult emergency department (ED) admissions for renal colic correlate with increased ambient temperature.
- The impact of climate on pediatric renal colic ED admissions remains unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in pediatric renal colic ED admissions (age ≤ 18).
- To determine if climate influences pediatric renal colic ED visits.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, multicenter cohort study of pediatric renal colic ED admissions.
- Data collected from computerized ED databases and confirmed by imaging.
- Climate data obtained from the Israeli Meteorological Service.
Main Results:
- 609 pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) admitted for renal colic between 2010-2020.
- A 6% decrease in ED admissions observed over the study period.
- No correlation found between climate parameters (temperature, seasons) and pediatric renal colic ED admissions.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric renal colic ED admissions fluctuated and showed a downward trend.
- Seasonal variations and ambient temperature increases did not affect pediatric renal colic ED admission rates.
- Findings contrast with adult populations, suggesting distinct environmental influences.
Background:
Pediatric urolithiasis is relatively uncommon and is generally associated with predisposing anatomic or metabolic abnormalities. In the adult population, emergency department (ED) admissions have been associated with an increase in ambient temperature. The same association has not been evaluated in the pediatric population.
Objectives:
To analyze trends in ED admissions due to renal colic in a pediatric population (≤ 18 years old) and to assess the possible effect of climate on ED admissions.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study, based on a computerized database of all ED visits due to renal colic in pediatric patients. The study cohort presented with urolithiasis on imaging during their ED admission. Exact climate data was acquired through the Israeli Meteorological Service (IMS).
Results:
Between January 2010 and December 2020, 609 patients, ≤ 18 years, were admitted to EDs in five medical centers with renal colic: 318 males (52%), 291 females (48%). The median age was 17 years (IQR 9-16). ED visits oscillated through the years, peaking in 2012 and 2018. A 6% downward trend in ED admissions was noted between 2010 and 2020. The number of ED admissions in the different seasons was 179 in autumn (30%), 134 in winter (22%), 152 in spring (25%), and 144 in summer (23%) (P = 0.8). Logistic regression multivariable analysis associated with ED visits did not find any correlation between climate parameters and ED admissions due to renal colic in the pediatric population.
Conclusions:
ED admissions oscillated during the period investigated and had a downward trend. Unlike in the adult population, rates of renal colic ED admissions in the pediatric population were not affected by seasonal changes or rise in maximum ambient temperature.
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