SKIN DISORDERS ENCOUNTERED IN A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

A total of 1381 visits to a pediatric emergency department (ED) during a six-week period were surveyed to determine the types and frequency of skin disorders encountered. A primary skin complaint accounted for 431 (31 %) visits. There was a skin complaint of secondary importance in another 35 (3%) visits, and a skin disorder not mentioned by the pa tient or parent was detected on examination in a further 88 (6%) visit s. In total, 554 (40%) visits included a skin complaint or a skin find ing. As expected, cutaneous trauma (including abrasions, contusions, l acerations, and burns) accounted for a substantial number of visits, b ut a wide range of other dermatologic conditions was also represented, including skin infections, contact dermatitis, and numerous other dis orders. Skin diseases are encountered frequently in the pediatric ED s etting and should be included in the formal teaching curriculum for tr aining programs in pediatrics and emergency medicine.