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Pediatric respiratory infectious emergencies: clinical profiles and outcomes
Imad Mohammed Khojah1, Noura Wagih Alazhary2, Anas Saeed Alyazidi3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Pediatric infectious diseases, especially respiratory infections, frequently affect toddlers, with fever and cough as common symptoms. Most children receive treatment in the emergency department, but some require further hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infectious diseases are a leading cause of pediatric hospital admissions, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality.
- These conditions pose a continuous threat to child health, with potential for severe harm due to delayed or incorrect management.
- Infectious diseases also exacerbate overcrowding in pediatric emergency departments (EDs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, outcomes, and socio-behavioral effects of infectious diseases in children.
- To analyze the presentation of pediatric respiratory infectious diseases within an emergency room setting.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, single-hospital study was conducted at a publicly funded tertiary care center.
- Included were pediatric patients presenting with chief complaints related to the respiratory system or infectious causes.
- Data analysis utilized SPSS to examine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- A total of 15,106 pediatric patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 3.80 years.
- Toddlers constituted the largest age group (42.8%), and most cases (71.9%) were classified as urgent.
- Fever was the most common complaint; 76.1% of patients were discharged from the ED, while 22.9% required admission.
Conclusions:
- Toddlers are the most impacted age group by pediatric infectious diseases, particularly respiratory infections.
- Fever and cough are the predominant symptoms observed in affected children.
- Effective management in the ED leads to discharge for the majority, but a significant portion necessitates inpatient care.
Abstract:
Infectious diseases are among the most frequent causes of hospital admission and a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. These diseases pose a persistent concern, particularly within the pediatric population, where delays or inappropriate management can result in serious harm. Additionally, infectious diseases contribute to overcrowding in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). This study aimed to explore the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, outcome, and social and behavioral impacts of infectious diseases on child health. We conducted a retrospective, single-hospital study at a tertiary care center that is publicly funded and owned to serve the entire community. Pediatric patients with at least one or more chief complaints related to the respiratory system or infectious etiology were included. Data analysis was performed using SPSS to assess relationships between variables. A total of 15,106 patients were included, with a mean age of 3.80 years. The largest age group was toddlers (42.8%). Most cases (71.9%) were classified as urgent (Priority 3). Regarding patient outcomes, 76.1% were discharged after receiving appropriate treatment in the ED, and 22.9% required admission for further management. Nearly 38% of patients presented with a single complaint. Fever was the most frequent complaint across all groups. In summary, this study provides insights into the presentation of pediatric respiratory infectious diseases in the emergency room. The study revealed that toddlers were the most affected age group, with fever and cough being the common symptoms.
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