Seasonal, Weather, and Temporal Factors in the Prediction of Admission to a Pediatric Trauma Center

Abstract

Background Our objective is to identify seasonal and weather trends associated with pediatric trauma admissions. Methods We reviewed all trauma activations leading to admission in patients ≤18 years admitted to a regional pediatric trauma center from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2015. We reviewed climatologic measures of the mean temperature, mean visibility, and precipitation for each admission in the 6 h prior to each presentation in addition to time of arrival, weekday/weekend presentation, and season. We used a negative binomial regression model with multivariable analysis to estimate associations between weather and rate of trauma admissions. Results were presented as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results In total, 3856 encounters [2539 males (65.8%), mean age 10.2 years ± SD 5.1 years] were included. Results from multivariable analysis (IRR, 95% CI) suggested an association of admissions with rain (0.82, 0.75–0.90) and overnight hours (23:51–05:50; 0.69, 0.58–0.82) as compared to morning (05:51–11:50). The IRR of trauma increased during the afternoon (11:51–17:50; 4.05, 3.57–4.61), night periods (17:51–23:50; 5.59, 4.94–6.33), and weekends (1.24, 1.15–1.32), and with every 1 °C increase in temperature (1.04, 1.03–1.04). After accounting for other variables, season was not found to be independently predictive of trauma admission. Conclusion Trauma admissions had a higher rate during afternoon, evening hours, and weekends. The presence of rain lowered the rate of pediatric trauma admission. Each degree increase in temperature increased the rate of trauma admissions by 4%. The findings provide information from the perspective of emergency preparedness, resource utilization, and staffing to pediatric trauma centers.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the characteristics of paediatric emergency room visits in a tertiary centre in Northern Italy

“…This nding suggests that home remains a frequent place for accidents in children. [7] In line with a recent nding in a large paediatric population [8], we observed a marked reduction of children presenting to our PED with infections or fever (from 49-28%). Possibly, avoidance of social interactions, school closure, suspension of all non-essential services and sport activities, may have limited the spread of other viral infections usually seen in previous winter seasons.…”

Trends in US Pediatric Hospital Admissions in 2020 Compared With the Decade Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The present study is in agreement with several prior studies documenting seasonality in bronchiolitis, 15 , 16 pneumonia, 16 , 17 asthma, 16 , 19 , 20 Kawasaki syndrome, 18 and trauma. 21 However, we additionally noted novel seasonality for diabetic ketoacidosis and mental health admissions and the absence of seasonality in admissions for cardiac arrest and coarctation of the aorta. The seasonality of diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with children aged 5 years or older and may be reflective of the efforts of the American Diabetes Association to incorporate school personnel in the diabetes medical management plans for these patients.…”

“…Many pediatric diagnoses warranting inpatient admission exhibit seasonal variation; prior work has characterized winter predominance in bronchiolitis, 15 , 16 pneumonia, 16 , 17 and Kawasaki syndrome 18 ; autumn predominance in asthma 16 , 19 , 20 ; and summer predominance in trauma. 21 These fluctuations in disease pattern are likely influenced by population susceptibility and behavior as well as various environmental factors. However, to our knowledge, the seasonal patterns in other pediatric admissions remain unexplored.…”

Increased Firearm Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hidden Urban Burden

“…32 These seasonal variations are typical and locally related to social norms, weather patterns, scheduled public events, and other environmental factors. 33,34 Our data demonstrate an association between pandemic-related public health measures and both trauma patient volume and injury profile at an urban Level I trauma center. Social isolation policies instituted in March 2020 were associated with a sharp increase in IVT, in spite of a decrease in NIT and overall ED patient volume.…”