Analysis of Ear Nose Throat Consultations Requested From the Pediatric Emergency Service in a Tertiary Hospital

• Published in: Pediatric emergency care Vol. 39; no. 5; p. 342
• Main Authors: Uğur, Cüneyt, Yüksel, Fatih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Bell Palsy - complications; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Service, Hospital; Epistaxis - complications; Facial Paralysis; Female; Foreign Bodies - diagnosis; Foreign Bodies - epidemiology; Foreign Bodies - therapy; Humans; Male; Nose; Pharynx; Referral and Consultation; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers
• ISSN: 1535-1815
• DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002911

The aim of this study is to examine the reasons and the methods of approach to the patients for the ear nose and throat (ENT) consultations requested from the patients who applied to the pediatric emergency department. The files of 351 patients who applied to the pediatric emergency outpatient clinic and were asked for consultation from the ENT clinic were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, complaints on admission, diagnostic examinations, diagnoses, treatment methods, and hospitalizations were recorded. Of the patients included in the study, 190 (54.1%) were female and 161 (45.9%) were male. The median age of the patients was 4.0 years (3.0-8.0 years). The most common diagnoses after ENT examination are; 120 patients (34.2%) had foreign body (FB) in the nose, 58 patients (16.5%) had FB in the ear, 16 patients (4.6%) had FB in the throat, 16 patients (4.6%) had epistaxis, and 15 patients (4.3%) had Bell's palsy. According to age group, it was determined that FB in the nose and ear was more common in the 0- to 5- and 6- to 11-year age group, and Bell's palsy, FB in the ear and epistaxis were more common in the 12- to 17-year age group. A normal examination was also an important finding in 83 of the patients (23.6%). Foreign bodies are the most common reason for admission to the emergency services in children, and it is frequently seen between 0 and 5 years of age. Informing and raising awareness of parents on this topic will reduce both unwanted complications and ENT consultations along with admission to pediatric emergency services.