GP consultations for respiratory tract infections in children aged <5 years: a retrospective cohort study 2016-2023.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about how GP consultation rates for children's respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted.

Aim

To describe changes in GP consultation rates for RTIs in children aged <5 years from 2016 to 2023.

Design & setting

A population-based retrospective cohort study using electronic health records from primary care practices across England.

Method

All children aged <5 years registered with a general practice in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database from April 2016 to March 2023 were included. Monthly GP consultation rates for RTIs from April 2021 to March 2023 were compared with the corresponding months during pre-pandemic years (April 2016 to February 2020).

Results

SUBMITTER: Foley K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12199992 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature