Social restrictions due to COVID-19 and the incidence of intoxicated patients in pediatric emergency department

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) ◽

10.1007/s11845-021-02686-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ilari Kuitunen

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Confidence Intervals ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Drug Consumption ◽

Pediatric Emergency Department ◽

Hospital Discharge Register ◽

Heavy Alcohol ◽

Monthly Incidence

Abstract Background Social restrictions set due to COVID-19 decreased pediatric emergency department (ED). The aim is to report epidemiology of intoxicated patients in pediatric ED during the first and second waves of COVID-19. Methods Data for this retrospective hospital discharge register study was gathered from January 2017 to December 2020. Patients aged <18 and intoxicated were included. Incidences are reported per 10,000 children and compared by incidence rate rations (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Incidence of ED visit for intoxicated patient was 65 per 10,000 in 2020 and 54 per 10,000 in 2017–2019 (IRR 1.20 CI 0.87–1.68). Incidence was lower during the lockdown compared to reference years (IRR 0.50 CI 0.17–1.44). Peak monthly incidence (12 per 10000) was recorded after lockdown in July 2020 (IRR 2.45 CI 1.01-5.92). Discussion Based on these results, the lockdown and social restrictions did not decrease heavy alcohol or drug consumption among adolescents in Finland.

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Epidemiology of Pediatric Bite/Sting Injuries. One-Year Study of a Pediatric Emergency Department in Israel

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2006.131 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 653-660 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michal Hemmo-Lotem ◽

Yoav Barnea ◽

Claudia Jinich-Aronowitz ◽

Liri Endy-Findling ◽

David Leshem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Pediatric Trauma ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Pediatric Emergency Department ◽

The Face ◽

One Year

Animal bite/sting injuries are a known source of morbidity with a significantly higher incidence among children who are most often bitten in the face, head, and neck. The objective of this study was to provide a better understanding of bite/sting injuries treated at the pediatric emergency department in order to guide preventive efforts.The sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical data on all bite/sting injuries treated in one representative pediatric emergency department in Israel over a 1-year period were retrieved and analyzed. Two hundred of the 9,309 pediatric trauma cases treated in the emergency department were bite/sting injuries (2.1%). Non-Jewish patients were under-represented in this subgroup. The majority of patients were males (61.5%). Age distribution from 0–12 years was fairly even, except for an unexplained peak at 8 years. Dogs inflicted 56%, cats 11%, and hornets 9.5% of the injuries. Limbs were affected in 64% and the head and neck in 27%. Specialists, mostly plastic surgeons, were consulted in 42 cases (21%). The incidence rate for hospitalization (7%) was similar to that seen in other types of injuries. Children with scorpion or hornet stings and young age were more likely to be hospitalized. Preventive and educational aspects are discussed.

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