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Comparison of pediatric injury patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea: a retrospective study
Geom Pil Nam1, Woo Sung Choi1, Jin-Seong Cho1,2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic saw fewer overall pediatric injuries, but more home-based incidents and minor injuries. Bicycle accidents, falls, and self-harm injuries increased in specific age groups, necessitating preparedness for future pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric injury surveillance
- Epidemiology of childhood injuries
- Public health during pandemics
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered children's lifestyles, impacting injury patterns.
- Understanding these shifts is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in pediatric injury patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods.
- To examine these changes across different pediatric age groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) in Korea.
- Analyzed injury data from 23 hospital emergency departments for children aged 0-15 years.
- Conducted subgroup analyses for age groups: <1 year, 1-6 years, and 7-15 years.
Main Results:
- Overall pediatric injuries decreased by 38.7% during the pandemic.
- In-home injuries rose from 57.9% to 67.9%, with minor injuries increasing slightly.
- Bicycle and personal mobility device injuries increased in 7-15 year olds; falls increased in <1 year olds; self-harm rose in 7-15 year olds.
Conclusions:
- The pandemic shifted pediatric injuries towards home environments and specific activities.
- Increased bicycle, mobility device, fall, and self-harm injuries require targeted prevention strategies.
- Enhanced medical and societal preparedness is vital for managing pediatric injuries during future pandemics.
Purpose:
The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in the lifestyle patterns of children and affected the patterns of pediatric injuries. This study analyzed the changing patterns of pediatric injury overall and by age groups, based on the datasets before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
This study is based on the data of patients who presented with injuries at 23 hospital emergency departments participating in the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The surveillance data was categorized by injury mechanism, location, activity, and severity. We analyzed the injury patterns of pediatric patients aged 0 to 15 years. Subgroup analysis was conducted by age group in children aged 7 to 15 years, 1 to 6 years, and <1 year.
Results:
When comparing the COVID-19 pandemic period to the pre-COVID-19 period, the total number of pediatric patients with injuries decreased by 38.7%, while the proportions of in-home injuries (57.9% vs. 67.9%), and minor injuries (38.9% vs. 39.7%) increased. In the 7 to 15 years group, bicycle riding injuries (50.9% vs. 65.6%) and personal mobility device injuries (2.4% vs. 4.6%) increased. The 1 to 6 years group also showed an increase in bicycle accident injuries (15.8% vs. 22.4%). In the <1 year group, injuries from falls increased (44.5% vs. 49.9%). Self-harm injuries in the 7 to 15 years group also increased (1.6% vs. 2.8%).
Conclusions:
During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the overall number of pediatric injuries decreased, while injuries occurring at home and during indoor activities increased. Traffic accidents involving bicycles and personal mobility devices and self-harm injuries increased in the 7 to 15 years group. In the <1 year group, the incidence of falls increased. Medical and societal preparedness is needed so that we might anticipate these changes in the patterns of pediatric injuries during future infectious disease pandemics.
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