Retrospective observational study of neonatal attendances to a children's emergency department

Blakey, Sarah J.; Lyttle, Mark D.; Magnus, Dan

doi:10.1111/apa.16039

Retrospective observational study of neonatal attendances to a children's emergency department

Blakey, Sarah J.; Lyttle, Mark D.; Magnus, Dan

Authors

Sarah J. Blakey

Mark Lyttle mark.lyttle@uwe.ac.uk

Dan Magnus

Abstract

Aim
Attendances to emergency departments (EDs) in the UK are increasing, particularly for younger children. Community services are under increasing pressure and parents may preferentially bring their babies to the ED, even for non-urgent problems. This study aimed to characterise the presenting features, management and disposition of neonatal attendances to a children's ED (CED).

Methods
Retrospective observational review of neonatal attendances (≤28 days) to the CED at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) from 01/01/2016 to 31/12/2016. Further information was obtained from investigation results and discharge summaries. Data abstracted included sex, age, referral method, presenting complaint, diagnosis, investigations and treatments.

Results
Neonatal attendances increased from 655 to 1,205 from 2008 to 2016. The most common presenting complaints were breathing difficulty (18.1%) and vomiting (8.3%). The most common diagnoses were ‘no significant medical problem’ (41.9%) and bronchiolitis (10.5%). Half of neonatal attendances to the CED had no investigations performed and most (77.7%) needed advice or observation only.

Conclusion
Many neonates presenting to the CED were well and discharged with observation only. This suggests potential for improving community management and in supporting new parents. Drivers of health policy should consider developing enhanced models of out of hospital care which are acceptable to clinicians and families.

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jul 21, 2021
Online Publication Date	Jul 23, 2021
Publication Date	2021-11
Deposit Date	Aug 23, 2021
Publicly Available Date	Jul 24, 2022
Journal	Acta Paediatrica
Print ISSN	0803-5253
Electronic ISSN	1651-2227
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	110
Issue	11
Pages	2968-2975
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16039
Keywords	General Medicine; Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Public URL	https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7676346

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Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Blakey, S. J., Lyttle, M. D., & Magnus, D. (2021). Retrospective observational study of neonatal attendances to a children's emergency department. Acta Paediatrica, 110(11), 2968-2975], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16039. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.