Impact of COVID-19 on paediatric emergency department attendances at four English hospitals. Issue 1 (8th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aldridge, Patrick; Wilson, Sarah; Roland, Damian; McCann, Gerard; Burridge, Richard George
• Is Part Of: BMJ paediatrics open. Volume 6:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-08
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- data collection -- health services research -- neonatology; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-9772

Abstract

Abstract : Paediatric emergency department (PED) attendances reduced worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) but anecdotally babies under 30 days (BUD) appeared less affected. We collated monthly PED attendances (16 years and under) across four hospitals (three district general hospitals and a tertiary specialist PED) in England, UK from January 2017 to December 2020. Gross PED attendances dropped by 34% in 2020 (n=98 256) compared to 2019 (n=148 640). However, cumulative BUD attendances dropped by only 6% in 2020 (n=3922) compared to 2019 (n=4162). Monthly site-specific attendances showed marginal variation. PED attendances broadly decreased in 2020 with less of an impact on BUD.