Supervisors info:
Αθανάσιος Μίχος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δέσποινα Μπριάνα, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δημήτριος Κασίμος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΔΠΘ
Summary:
BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the pediatric population, especially on their access to health services leading to reduced use of them.
AIM: This study aimed to study the differences in attendance of pediatric cases at the emergency department of the Kastoria’s General Hospital, before and after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
METHODOLOGY: A record was made of the pediatric cases to the Eds for a period of one year before the onset of the pandemic and one year after. Age, sex, place of residence, presentation symptoms, presence of fever and hospitalization if any were recorded.
RESULTS: An overall statistically significant reduction (p,0,001) of total attendances by 76,5% was observed. In the age groups 0-2 years and 11-16 years the presentation rate increased from 17,7% to 24,2% and from 21,4% to 30,2% respectively. No chance in attendance by gender was found. A statistically significant reduction (p,0,005) was observed in febrile cases from 32,8% to 27,2% as well as in infectious diseases from 75% to 59,9% (p<0,005). There was a statistically significant increase (p,0,001) in accidental substance use cases to 3,2% from 1% and an increase in anxiety symptoms to 1,5% from 0,2% (p,0,001) while not statistically significant difference was recorded in the incidence of acute intoxication. The percentage of children required hospitalization increased from 6,9% to 9,2% (p<0,033)
CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the importance of maintaining optimal access to health services for children, particularly when facing a public health threat such as the pandemic Covid-19.
SUBJECT AREA: Pediatrics, Infectious diseases
Keywords:
Covid-19, SARSCov-2, Εmergency department, Pediatrics, Macedonia, Greece
