ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine the characteristics of paediatric emergency department (PED) visits by newborn (age ≤ 28 days).

Methods: Retrospective study consisted of newborns who presented to PED of Sakarya University Maternity and Pediatric Hospital during 2014. We studied the electronic data consisted of admission date, date of birth, emergency department diagnosis at discharge (International Classification of Diseases 10th revision code) and the outcome.

Results: A total of 5708 neonates visited PED with an average age of 7.9 ± 5.9 days of age and prevalence of males (56.1%). The major diagnoses were jaundice, respiratory system problems, excessive crying of infant, and feeding problems of newborn and prematurity. Hospitalization was necessary for 35.9% neonates. There were 2912 neonates were between 0 and 8 days of age. The major diagnoses of this group were jaundice, excessive crying of infant, feeding problems of newborn, upper respiratory infections, and fever of newborn. Most of the neonates were discharged home from the PED (59.3%).

Conclusion: Most PED visits were because of non-serious diseases, mainly insufficient briefing during discharge and limitations of primary care.