This study aims to investigate changes in the pediatric emergency department morbidity spectrum following the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions in a large pediatric referral center in southern China, focusing on the incidence, proportion, and distribution of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and allergic conditions. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 320,268 pediatric emergency encounters at Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital, with encounters from the pandemic period (March 2021–March 2022) compared to those from the post-pandemic period (March 2023–March 2024). Data on demographics, presenting complaints, and diagnoses were extracted from the hospital’s information system, and statistical analyses, including independent sample t tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression, were performed using R, version 4.4.3. The results showed that relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions was associated with a significant 79.5% surge in pediatric emergency visits and a shift in the disease spectrum, marked by substantial rebounds in respiratory (77.50%–87.92%; χ 2 = 5984.295, P < .001), gastrointestinal (15.40%–16.90%; χ 2 = 5120.999, P < .001), and allergic dermatitis symptoms (4.80%–6.05%; χ 2 = 232.202, P < .001). In addition, the number of intensive care unit admissions increased from 0.69% to 0.85% (a relative increase of 23.2%), with preschool (3–6 years) and school-aged (≥6 years) children exhibiting the most pronounced respiratory symptoms, particularly in winter and spring. Multivariate analysis confirmed the post-NPI period as an independent predictor for respiratory (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 1.994, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.955–2.034), gastrointestinal (aOR = 1.120, 95% CI: 1.098–1.143), and allergic symptoms (aOR = 1.234, 95% CI: 1.194–1.276). These results suggest that dynamic surveillance, targeted prevention strategies for high-risk age groups and seasons, and optimized resource allocation may enhance pediatric emergency preparedness during the post-pandemic era.
Chen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.