Abstract

NOYA, Noelia et al. Delayed visits to Pediatric Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay. Arch. Pediatr. Urug. [online]. 2022, vol.93, n.nspe1, e220.  Epub June 01, 2022. ISSN 0004-0584.

In December 2019, the first cases of SARS-CoV2 were detected in Wuhan. In Uruguay, since March 16, teaching, sports and public entertainment activities were suspended. Several countries reported a marked decrease in emergency room visits. Some children presented occasional illnesses or decompensations from chronic illnesses, consulting late with the risk that this implies. The objective of the work is to make a description and analysis of late consultations during the pandemic. A multicenter, descriptive and analytical study was carried out between March 13 and July 29, 2020. “Late consultation” was defined as admissions for: Acute injuries with more than 6 hours of evolution, fever greater than 72 hours of evolution, difficulty respiratory disease with more than 12 hours of evolution, acute symptoms such as abdominal pain of more than 24 hours of evolution, symptoms of more than 12 hours of evolution in children with chronic diseases that determined decompensation and admission. 27 centers were included. A total of 34,707 emergency consultations were registered, 189 children were included for the study. The average age was 6 years. The delay time in the consultation averaged 97 hours. 21 patients required admission to the ICU. Complications were recorded in 14 patients. Appendicitis predominated among the diagnoses at discharge. This research revealed the existence of late consultations in our country. This helps to weigh the negative impact of the pandemic on the pediatric population.

Keywords : COVID- 19; Delayed consultation; Emergencies; Pediatrics.

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