The Analysis of Dermatology Consultations From the Paediatric Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Centre

Dermatological consultations from paediatric emergency departments are common but often underreported. Understanding the profile and outcomes of these consultations is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and patient management. The aim was to retrospectively analyse paediatric patients referred from the paediatric emergency department to the dermatology clinic in a tertiary care hospital over a 5-year period, focusing on demographic characteristics, preliminary and final diagnoses, diagnostic concordance and treatment modalities.

This retrospective observational study included paediatric patients (aged 0-18 years) consulted at the dermatology clinic from the paediatric emergency department of a tertiary care centre. Data collected included demographics, triage codes, consultation response times, diagnoses, examination findings and treatments.

A total of 486 patients were included, with a mean age of 95.3 ± 66.6 months. The gender distribution was 48.1% (n = 234) female and 51.9% (n = 252) male. The most frequent final diagnoses were scabies 14% (n = 68), insect bites 7.8% (n = 38) and urticaria-angioedema 7% (n = 34). Diagnostic concordance between paediatricians and dermatologists was 64.23% (n = 88 of 137 with preliminary diagnoses). Topical antibiotics 40.3% (n = 196), systemic antihistamines 27.2% (n = 132) and topical steroids 24.7% (n = 120) were the most commonly prescribed treatments. Hospitalisation was required for 1.9% (n = 9) of patients, and 4.3% (n = 21) underwent biopsy.

The majority of dermatology consultations from the paediatric emergency department were for non-emergent conditions. Strengthening dermatology education in paediatric training programmes and establishing specialised paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care.