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Profile of patients attending Pediatric Emergency service at Chandigarh

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Abstract

Profile of children attending in a Pediatric Emergency Unit of an urban teaching hospital over a period of one year was analyzed. The total number of patients seen between September 1999 to August 2000 was 9205; there was a prepondence of boys (73%). The maximum number of patients were seen in the monsoon month of July and August. About half (52.5%) of the patients were infants. Fever (29.5%), breathing difficulty (17.4%) and diarrhea (14.5%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses were the two commonest pediatric emergencies. About 2% (n-198) patients died within 24 hours of hospitalization; 42.3% deaths were in the age group of 0–28 days. Sepsis was the most common diagnosis in patients who died. This information may help in planning and development of a Pediatric Emergency unit and prioritizing residents, training.

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Correspondence to Sunit C. Singhi.

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Salaria, M., Singhi, S.C. Profile of patients attending Pediatric Emergency service at Chandigarh. Indian J Pediatr 70, 621–624 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02724250

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