Patterns of presentations of children to emergency departments across Europe and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: retrospective observational multinational study. (preprint)

ABSTRACT

BackgroundTo investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and infection prevention measures on children visiting emergency departments across Europe. MethodsRoutine health data were extracted retrospectively from electronic patient records of children aged <16 years, presenting to 38 emergency departments (ED) in 16 European countries for the period January 2018 - May 2020, using predefined and standardized data domains. Observed and predicted numbers of ED attendances were calculated for the period February 2020 to May 2020. Poisson models and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were used to compare age groups, diagnoses and outcomes. FindingsReductions in pediatric ED attendances, hospital admissions and high triage urgencies were seen in all participating sites. ED attendances were relatively higher in countries with lower SARS-CoV-2 prevalence (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2{middle dot}62, 95% CI 2{middle dot}19 to 3{middle dot}13) and in children aged >12 months (12-<24 months IRR 0{middle dot}89, 95% CI 0{middle dot}86 to 0{middle dot}92; 2-<5years IRR 0{middle dot}84, 95% CI 0{middle dot}82 to 0{middle dot}87; 5-<12 years IRR 0{middle dot}74, 95% CI 0{middle dot}72 to 0{middle dot}76; 12-<16 years IRR 0{middle dot}74, 95% CI 0{middle dot}71 to 0{middle dot}77; vs. age <12 months as reference group). The impact on pediatric intensive care admissions (IRR 1{middle dot}30, 95% CI 1{middle dot}16 to 1{middle dot}45) was not as great as the impact on general admissions. Lower triage urgencies were reduced more than higher triage urgencies (urgent triage IRR 1{middle dot}10, 95% CI 1{middle dot}08 to 1{middle dot}12; emergent and very urgent triage IRR 1{middle dot}53, 95% CI 1{middle dot}49 to 1{middle dot}57; vs. non-urgent triage category). Reductions were highest and sustained throughout the study period for children with communicable infectious diseases. InterpretationReductions in ED attendances were seen across Europe during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. More severely ill children continued to attend hospital more frequently compared to those with minor injuries and illnesses, although absolute numbers fell. FundingRGN was supported by National Institute of Health Research, award number ACL-2018-021-007. Trial registryISRCTN91495258