• Roshit K Bothara, Aditya Raina, Brennan Carne, Tony Walls, Andrew McCombie, Michael W Ardagh, and Laura R Joyce.
• Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
• J Paediatr Child Health. 2021 Jun 1; 57 (6): 877-882.

AimTo describe the variation in volumes and types of paediatric presentations to a tertiary emergency department in New Zealand during the national level 4 lockdown for COVID-19.MethodsA retrospective, comparative cohort study in Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, New Zealand.ResultsThere was a 37% reduction in all emergency presentations during the 33-day lockdown period. Paediatric presentations reduced significantly more than non-paediatric presentations (53% paediatric vs. 34% non-paediatric, P < 0.00001). The decrease in both overall and paediatric presentations was significantly different than similar periods in 2019 and 2018 (P < 0.00001). The proportion of New Zealand European paediatric presentations during lockdown increased by 6.09% (P = 0.01), while Pacific peoples decreased by 3.36% (P = 0.005). The proportion of <1-year-old presentations increased by 5.56% (P = 0.001), while 11-15 years decreased by 7.91% (P = 0.0001). Respiratory-related paediatric presentations decreased by 30% and proportional decreased by 4.92% (P = 0.001).ConclusionThis study has identified a significant reduction in paediatric presentations to a tertiary emergency department in New Zealand during the national Alert Level 4 Lockdown for COVID-19. The proportional increase in the <1-year-old group may suggest a greater need for community-based child health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health support services may also need to adapt and expand to provide adequate psychological support for children during this crisis. Recognising the needs of these vulnerable groups will be critical during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in addition to informing response plans for similar events in the future.© 2021 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

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