Evaluation of infants aged 0-12 months admitted to the pediatric emergency department: the example of Batman Training And Research Hospital

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Canpolat S., Nahya M. K., Dedeoğlu E., SAKA M., PARLAK M. E., Aktı A.

Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992), cilt.72, sa.9, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Özet

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the reasons for admission, demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, hospitalization rates, and repeat visits among infants aged 0-12 months transported to the pediatric emergency department by 112 Emergency Medical Services ambulances in 2023, with a focus on. The study further evaluated the urgency of visits and sought to identify potentially preventable hospital admissions, while also examining the clinical decision-making processes involved. METHODS: This retrospective investigation involved infants brought to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Batman Training and Research Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2023. Hospital records were examined for demographic reasons for admission, laboratory and imaging evaluations, hospitalization or referral outcomes, and repeat visits. Patients were grouped as neonates (0-28 days) or post-neonatal infants (29 days-12 months). Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 26. RESULTS: Of 3,950 ambulance transports, 957 (24.2%) involved infants aged 0-12 months; 55.6% were male. The leading causes for admission were respiratory distress (38.8%), jaundice (21.8%), and fever (8.3%). Hospitalization was needed in 60.6% of cases, and 20.0% were admitted to neonatal intensive care. Approximately 37.2% were discharged after clinical examination and limited diagnostic workup. Repeat presentations were seen in 11.3% of patients. Most admissions occurred on weekends and during off-hours periods. CONCLUSION: Many ambulance transports of infants involved non-urgent conditions, yet hospitalization rates remained high, especially among neonates. Improving parental education, scheduled follow-up for high-risk infants, and primary care access could reduce unnecessary visits.