Caregiver-reported delay in presentation to pediatric emergency departments for fear of contracting COVID-19: a multi-national cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if caregivers of children presenting to pediatric emergency departments (EDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic are delaying presenting to care for fear of contracting COVID-19.

Methods

This was a pre-planned secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey study of caregivers accompanying their children aged 0-19 years to 16 pediatric EDs in 5 countries from May to June 2020. An anonymous online survey, completed by caregivers via RedCAP, included caregiver and child demographics, presenting complaints, if they delayed presentation and whether symptoms worsened during this interval, as well as caregiver concern about the child or caregiver having COVID-19 at the time of ED visit.

Results

Of 1543 caregivers completing the survey, 287 (18.6%) reported a

SUBMITTER: Davis AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8366744 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature