Children under 15 made approximately 21,876,000 visits to an emergency room in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boys were treated more often, and comprised 52.8 percent of the pediatric ER patient population. In total, approximately 18.4 percent of all emergency department visits were by children under 15 years of age.
Boys
The CDC states that the top reason that boys went to the emergency department was fever, which is generally considered to be an oral temperature of 100.0 or higher. The second most common reason for ER visits was cough, while the third was vomiting. Next on the list was an injury to the face, head or neck. Other problems to the facial area was the fifth most common reason for young males. The next five problems consisted of ear infection or earache, skin rash, pain and cramps in the stomach or abdominal area, throat problems such as a sore throat and difficult or labored breathing. Over half of all ER visits by boys were for reasons other than those listed.
Girls
The top reasons for girls to visit the emergency room varied a bit from the boys' list. The top reason was again fever, followed by cough. Third on the list was vomiting and fourth was earache or ear infection. Coming in fifth were throat complaints. Rounding out the next five reasons were abdominal and stomach pain and cramps; skin rash; injury to the face, head or neck; problems related to the face and headache. Over half of all ER visits by girls were for reasons other than those listed.
Another Year, Another Look
Different agencies collect data in different ways, so you should also consider information presented by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality regarding the year 2005. It looked at reasons for emergency department visits for children under 18 years of age in 23 selected states. The top reason for an ER visit was found to be respiratory infections of the nose or throat area. Coming in second was a minor injury or bruise, while middle ear and related infections came in third. The fourth most common reason was stated to be an open wound to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, back or pelvic area. Next on the list were strains and sprains. Closing out the top 10 were fever, injuries and other external conditions, viruses, fractured arms, and open wounds on the arms and legs. Child emergency room visits led to hospitalization 4.5 percent of the time.
