Observational studyBMC emergency medicine2026
Pediatric pre-hospital emergencies in a rural region in northern Germany: frequency, urgency, patterns of utilization, and comparison with adult cases.
Observational study in BMC emergency medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPediatric emergencies are rather rare in pre-hospital care. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and urgency of pediatric emergency medical service (EMS) missions and to identify age-specific characteristics in EMS utilization in the rural district of Vorpommern-Greifswald in northeastern Germany.
methodsIn this retrospective observational study, all emergency protocols from ambulance vehicles and emergency physician vehicles from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, in the study region were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Patients were categorized into age groups: infants (< 1 year), toddlers (1-5 years), schoolchildren (6-13 years), adolescents (14-17 years), adults (18-64 years), and seniors (≥ 65 years).
resultsOver the study period, 71,446 patients had an EMS contact, thereof 255 infants (0.4%), 976 toddlers (1.4%), 1,437 schoolchildren (2.0%), 1,395 adolescents (2.0%), 25,220 adults (35.3%), and 42,163 seniors (59.0%). The annual emergency rate among adults ≥ 18 years was nearly three times higher than among minors < 18 years (169 vs. 58 patients per 1,000 inhabitants within the respective age groups). Pediatric cases accounted for 5.7% of all missions. Vehicle dispatches for minors followed a bimodal temporal distribution with peaks between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. and between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Seasonal variation was observed, with the highest dispatch volume in June (10.5% of all pediatric dispatches) and the lowest in February (5.3%). Trauma was more common in minors compared to adults (41.8% vs. 23.1%), with the highest proportion among schoolchildren (52.2%). The proportion of critically ill or injured patients (NACA IV-VII) was lower in minors than in adults (10.2% vs. 20.8%). Physician involvement was more frequent in pediatric missions than in adult missions (39.4% vs. 32.9%). Infants showed the highest physician involvement (53.5%).
conclusionsIn pediatric missions, the involvement of physicians is high, however, critically ill children are rare. Low exposure to pediatric cases may contribute to insecurity among paramedics and emergency physicians in pediatric emergencies. Therefore, hands-on training in pediatric emergency care is essential. Given the rising demand for EMS, telemedicine could be a valuable addition in rural settings to reduce the burden on physician resources and ensure comprehensive pediatric care. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
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