Access in pediatric emergency department for respiratory infectious disease

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms as motive for emergency room visits by pediatric patients, describing the major clinical syndromes. Methods: Study population is composed of children aged 1 month - 16 years who presented at our emergency room with respiratory symptoms, over a 5-year period (from September 2008 to December 2013). Results: The first year of life age group was most affected by respiratory problems. During the first 4 months of life, male patients represented the larger number of pediatric emergency room visits for respiratory problems. Bronchospasm emerged as the most frequent (36%) respiratory problem. Conclusions: We describe the epidemiological profile of pediatric patients presenting at an emergency room with respiratory symptoms, finding a high prevalence of access to pediatric emergency room for upper and lower respiratory infections.