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

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.