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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Public Health | Research

Pediatric emergency department visits due to child abuse and neglect following COVID-19 public health emergency declaration in the Southeastern United States

Authors: Lindsey Rose Bullinger, Angela Boy, Stephen Messner, Shannon Self-Brown

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has heightened several risk factors for child abuse and neglect (CAN). We study whether COVID-19 and the public health response to it affected CAN-related pediatric emergency department (ED) visits in the southeastern United States (US).

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review on medical records of ED visits from a level I pediatric hospital system serving one of the largest metropolitan areas in the southeastern US from January through June 2018–2020. We used multivariate Poisson regression and linear regression to compare professionally identified CAN-related ED visits before and after a COVID-19 public health emergency declaration in 2020, relative to trends over the same period in 2018 and 2019.

Results

Although the number of both overall pediatric ED visits and CAN-related ED visits declined, the number of CAN-related ED visits due to neglect from inadequate adult supervision increased by 62 % (p < 0.01). The number of CAN visits per 1,000 pediatric ED visits also increased by 97 % (p < 0.01). Finally, the proportion of CAN-related ED visits due to neglect from inadequate supervision increased by 100 % (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Physicians should be aware that patients who present with injuries during a pandemic may be victims of neglect due to changes in social structures in their households. In particular, maltreatment presenting to the ED shifted toward treating injuries and abuse resulting from inadequate supervision. Policymakers should consider the impacts of stay-at-home orders on child well-being when determining appropriate public health responses in the midst of a pandemic.

Trial Registration

Not applicable.

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Title: Pediatric emergency department visits due to child abuse and neglect following COVID-19 public health emergency declaration in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Lindsey Rose Bullinger
Angela Boy
Stephen Messner
Shannon Self-Brown
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Public Health
Child Abuse
COVID-19
Child Abuse
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02870-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Pediatric emergency department visits due to child abuse and neglect following COVID-19 public health emergency declaration in the Southeastern United States

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial Registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial Registration

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