Study of childhood attendance at emergency department in kkh, tabuk, ksa

Introduction: Research into childhood attendance at emergency department in the UK has focused mainly on injury related conditions. The first study in the UK looking at the common pediatric presentations to the emergency department they identified that high quality data regarding pediatric attendances is required in order to plan services. The emergency admission rate (EAR) per thousand population for breathing difficulty, feverish illness and diarrhea varies substantially between children living in different Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
Objectives and Methods: The aim of this study is to determine the nature and frequency of problems in children presenting with medical condition. Data on all 1 month -10 years old attending pediatric emergency department of king Khaled hospital in Tabuk city with acute medical problem were collected prospectively over a four month- period during the day time shift.
Results: The study sample is 52 cases, all of them are 10 years old and below, (32.7%) are infants. Fever is the most common pediatric presentation at emergency department (25%); may be because it is an external well-known diagnosis parents notice, followed by convulsion (19.2%).
Conclusions: Fever and abnormal movements are the most common symptoms make parents seek medical advice for. Future recommendations for a similar studies regarding surgical cases presented to A&E at Tabuk hospitals.