Outpatient characteristics in a pediatric otolaryngology department during COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the characteristics of outpatients in the pediatric otolaryngology department of a tertiary Japanese hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In this retrospective study conducted at a tertiary center in Japan, pediatric patients aged 0-15 years who visited the pediatric otolaryngology department between 2017 and 2022 were included. The number of outpatients in the department was compared between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2017-December 2022) by year, age, sex, and the disease for which the patient was examined. Additionally, the diseases that most substantially contributed to the change in outpatient visits were evaluated in detail regarding their severity.

Results

Among a total of 9219 outpatients, the

SUBMITTER: Noda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11585036 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature