Y eşim Yüksel, Özer Erdem Gür
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2025;8(6):1164-1170
Aims: This study aims to evaluate the distribution of acute pediatric otorhinolaryngologic (ORL) diseases and their revisit rates across three clinical departments-pediatric emergency deparments, pediatric outpatient clinics, and otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics-within a tertiary care hospital. The objective is to identify triage patterns that can optimize healthcare delivery and inform appropriate clinic referrals for common pediatric ORL conditions. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2014 and December 2024. Patients under the age of 18 who presented to the specified clinics with acute ORL diseases were included based on ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Data from the years 2020-2022 were excluded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient counts and revisit frequencies were obtained from hospital records with support from the Information Technology department and approval from the institutional ethics committee. Results: The distribution of acute ORL diagnoses showed significant variation across clinics. Pharyngitis, tonsillitis, multiple and unspecified upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), and allergic rhinitis were the most common diagnoses, while nasopharyngitis, laryngitis, croup, and otitis externa were less frequently observed. Pediatric emergency department had higher rates of pharyngitis and unspecified URTI, whereas pediatric outpatient clinics saw more allergic rhinitis and sinusitis cases. The otorhinolaryngology clinic had elevated rates of sinusitis, otitis media (both suppurative and non-suppurative), and allergic rhinitis. Revisit rates also differed: emergency departments had the highest for pharyngitis and URTI; pediatric clinics led in allergic rhinitis revisits; and otorhinolaryngology clinic had the highest revisit rates for sinusitis and otitis media. Conclusion: Patterns of presentation and revisit for acute pediatric ORL diseases differ significantly across clinical departments. Emergency departments are frequently utilized for conditions that could be more appropriately managed in outpatient settings, potentially delaying access to specialist care. Accurate diagnosis and timely referral are important for preventing complications, especially in ORL diseases such as otitis media and sinusitis. These findings underscore the need for improved triage and education to optimize resource utilization and patient outcomes in pediatric ORL care.
