WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Hind Abdulelah Abdulsahib* and Faris Al-Lami

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on healthcare worldwide, including changes in the frequency and nature of pediatric emergency department visits. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the patterns of pediatric emergency department visits at the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital within the Medical City Complex, by comparing the periods before and during the pandemic. Method: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, analyzing the records of the emergency department at the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad. The study periods included March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 (pre-pandemic) and March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 (during the pandemic). Result: Our results showed a significant reduction of 40% in pediatric emergency visits during the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic in contrast to the equivalent period before the pandemic. Emergency visits related to ophthalmological and dermatological conditions were particularly impacted, with a decline of 83% and 65% respectively. In contrast, visits due to liver disease and urinary tract disease showed the smallest changes, with reductions of just 7% and 12% respectively. The age groups less than 1 year and greater than 6 years were the most impacted in terms of visit decline. Post pandemic, the proportion of patients discharged home saw an increase. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant decrease in pediatric emergency department visits. This decline was most notable in visits related to less severe conditions. It is critical for health officials to closely monitor these trends in pediatric emergency department visits during the pandemic. Interventions may need to be implemented to ensure that children have access to emergency care when it is needed.

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