Prehospital emergencies in children

Objective: To determine incidence and management of prehospital emergencies in children. Methods: Between November 15, 1994 and March 14, 1995 in the City of Mainz (200 000 inhabitants) children with the diagnosis of a prehospital emergenc y were identified. Results: 390 children were discovered, 62% in the age group 0-3 years. 85% of the emergency conditions occurred at home. In 71% the medical practition er providing prehospital care was a paediatrician, in 14% an emergency phys ician. 48% of the children were transported to the Children's Hospital by t he parents. 32 different types of emergency were diagnosed, 8 types more th an 10 times. A retrospective analysis of 386 emergencies demonstrated an ac ute life-threatening situation in 12%. Lacking a final diagnosis in 19%, fi rst and final diagnosis were identical in 64% of all children evaluated. Conclusions: In Germany acute life-threatening emergencies are rare. Paedia tricians are mainly involved also in the care of children with emergency co nditions. Most pediatricians and nonpaediatricians are familiar with the re levant prehospital emergency conditions in the you ng child ren mainly conc erned.