The profile of adolescents assisted by the emergency department of a Brazilian private tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents represent an important demographic percentage in the studied population and in Emergency Departments (ED). It is imperative that health professionals and services are prepared to address this population. This work aims to characterize adolescents at the ED of a Brazilian private tertiary hospital. METHODS: The study was an observational, retrospective longitudinal cohort that included 37,450 visits of patients aged 10 to 21 years of age, between January 2018 and June 2022 in the ED of a private tertiary hospital. The study evaluated the reason for the consultation, diagnosis, need for hospitalization, the medical professional responsible for the care, severity, and paying source of care. RESULTS: 53.7% were female. Mean age was 16.2y for girls and 15.6y for boys (p < 0.005). The most common complaints were flu-like symptoms (17.4%), sore throat (8.2%), fever (6.7%) and limb trauma (6.3%). Flu-like symptoms were the main consultations caused in all age groups and genders. 36.8% were attended by a general practitioner, 35.8% by a pediatrician, 15.1% by orthopedics and 5.6% by surgeons. The hospitalization rate was 5.5%. There was a strong correlation between age and hospitalization rate (correlation coefficient [r = 0.93]; p < 0.001). The most prevalent diagnoses in hospitalizations were acute abdomen (12.7%) and trauma (9.4%). 78.2% of the consultations were classified as "not urgent". There was a strong correlation between age and severity (r = 0.86; p < 0.001). 92.7% of the consultations were paid by medical insurance. CONCLUSION: In this study, flu-like symptoms were the single main reason for adolescents to search for immediate health care, in every age subgroup and gender, but represented a small risk for hospital admission. Limb trauma was more common in younger male teenagers. Acute abdominal pain and trauma were the most frequent causes of hospital admissions. There was a significant and strong correlation between age and both admission rate and severity.

Skeletal changes of the axial axis and lower limbs in overweight children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of axial skeletal deviations in children and adolescents and to relate them to body mass index (BMI), age and sex. METHODS: 101 patients aged 7 to 17 years old were included in this study; exclusion criteria were primary orthopedic diseases and syndromes or treatments that affect growth. Patients were grouped according to their BMI Z-score: eutrophic (n=29), overweight (n=18) and obese (n=54). They underwent static clinical inspection was made by simetrographic technique. Intermaleolar distance was obtained, Adam's forward bend and tiptoe tests were performed. RESULTS: When comparing obese and eutrophic patients, changes in the cervical spine (p<0.01), spine (p<0.001), hip (p<0.01) and shoulders (p<0.001) were present in more than half of the obese patients (62.5%, 62.2%, 79.9% and 55.4%, respectively). Changes in the knees were more frequent among obese (p<0.001) when compared to eutrophic patients. There was no variation regarding age or sex (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: being overweight influences skeletal deviations in children and adolescents.

Skeletal changes of the axial axis and lower limbs in overweight children and adolescents / Alterações esqueléticas do eixo axial e de membros inferiores em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the presence of axial skeletal deviations in children and adolescents and to relate them to body mass index (BMI), age and sex. Methods: 101 patients aged 7 to 17 years old were included in this study; exclusion criteria were primary orthopedic diseases and syndromes or treatments that affect growth. Patients were grouped according to their BMI Z-score: eutrophic (n=29), overweight (n=18) and obese (n=54). They underwent static clinical inspection was made by simetrographic technique. Intermaleolar distance was obtained, Adam's forward bend and tiptoe tests were performed. Results: When comparing obese and eutrophic patients, changes in the cervical spine (p<0.01), spine (p<0.001), hip (p<0.01) and shoulders (p<0.001) were present in more than half of the obese patients (62.5%, 62.2%, 79.9% and 55.4%, respectively). Changes in the knees were more frequent among obese (p<0.001) when compared to eutrophic patients. There was no variation regarding age or sex (p>0.05). Conclusions: being overweight influences skeletal deviations in children and adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a presença de desvios do esqueleto axial em crianças e adolescentes e relacioná-los com índice de massa corpórea, idade e sexo. Métodos: Fizeram parte deste estudo 101 pacientes de sete a 17 anos, os quais não possuíam doenças ortopédicas primárias, síndromes ou tratamentos que afetassem o crescimento. Os pacientes foram agrupados conforme os escores Z do índice de massa corpórea em: eutróficos (n=29), com sobrepeso (n=18) e obesos (n=54). Foram avaliados por meio da inspeção clínica estática, com simetrógrafo de parede, medida da distância intermaleolar, manobra de Adams e teste da ponta dos pés. Resultados: Quando comparados os pacientes obesos com os eutróficos, alterações de coluna cervical (p<0,01), coluna (p<0,001), quadril (p<0,01) e ombros (p<0,001) ocorreram em mais da metade dos obesos (62,5, 62,2, 79,9 e 55,4%, respectivamente). Alterações nos joelhos foram mais frequentes entre os obesos (p<0,001) quando comparados aos eutróficos. Não houve variação com a idade ou o sexo (p>0,05). Conclusões: Conclui-se que o excesso de peso exerce influência sobre desvios do esqueleto em crianças e adolescentes.