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

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.