Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown period on hospital admissions for pediatric injuries: a French nationwide study

Abstract

PURPOSE During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown posed a number of unprecedented problems. Injuries to children are a major public health concern. This study sought to determine the impact of France’s 2020 COVID-19 lockdown on hospital admissions for paediatric injuries. METHODS This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of data from the French national inpatient database. Children admitted to a French hospital for an injury from January to July 2020 and 2019 were included. The number of admissions for injuries between January and July in 2020 (the study period) vs. the same period (the control period) in 2019 were recorded. Hospital admission rate ratios (HRRs) comparing 2020 with 2019 were calculated for three periods: before lockdown (January 1st to March 15th ), during lockdown (March 16th to May 10th ), and after lockdown (May 11th to July 31st ]). RESULTS A total of 72089 children were admitted to hospital for injuries between January and July 2020 (mean (SD) age, 8.7 (5.8)), and 84961 between January and July 2019 (mean (SD) age, 9.2 (5.7)). 12864 children (18%) were admitted during the lockdown period in 2020, and 23098 (27%) during the equivalent period in 2019 (HRR, 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.55–0.57; p < .001). During the 2020 lockdown, the risk of injury–related paediatric admissions with critical care lasting for at least 1 day was lower than in 2019 (HRR 0.67; 95%CI, 0.62–0.73; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Further research could usefully examine how parents create a safe home environment for their children.