Delayed presentation of children to the emergency department during the first wave of COVID‐19 pandemic in Italy: Area‐based cohort study

• DOI: 10.1111/apa.16019
• Publication Date: 2021-07-02T19:09:46Z
• Authors: Franca Rusconi; Valeria Di Fabrizio; Monia Puglia; Michela Sica; Rita De Santis; Stefano Masi; Luigi Gagliardi
• Keywords: Pandemic; Presentation (obstetrics)

Abstract Aim To ascertain a delay in attendances to the emergency department (ED) during 2020 lockdown. Methods Area‐based cohort study on paediatric (0‐15 years) resulting hospital admission Tuscany, Italy, February‐May 2020, and corresponding periods 2018‐19. We analysed times from symptom onset arrival, odds of arriving late (>90th centile time) paediatricians’ judgements presentation by logistic models. Results As expected, ED attendance fell sharply (−62%) vs for cases studied (455 1161 2018–19), we documented arrival versus 2018–19 several groups diagnoses, namely gastroenteritis, sepsis, wounds, burns infections overall. Time over 90th was also higher (odds ratio, OR: 1.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 2.06), as were (18.9% vs. 13.4% 2018‐19; 1.58; 1.14, 2.19) Conclusion In population‐based cohort, delayed ascertained both subjectively objectively convey message families paediatricians seek care case severe or unremitting symptoms not wait longer than they normally would.