@article{article_1722776, title={The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients followed up on the pediatric infectious diseases ward}, journal={Ege Tıp Dergisi}, volume={64}, pages={621–629}, year={2025}, DOI={10.19161/etd.1722776}, url={https://izlik.org/JA93LR44NS}, author={Bahçeci, Nezihe Bilge and Alyörük, Merve and Somuncu, Eda and İlhan, Derya and Öztürk, Sercan and Çağlar, İlknur and Kara, Soner Sertan}, keywords={pandemic, hospitalization, Covid-19, antibiotics}, abstract={Aim: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalization rates, patient characteristics, and treatment practices in a pediatric infectious diseases outpatient clinic by comparing the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Materials and Methods: The hospitalization rates of patients who presented to the Pediatric Infectious Diseases outpatient clinic at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital between July 1, 2018, and October 1, 2023, as well as the data of those who were hospitalized, were retrospectively compared and analyzed across the pre-pandemic (Pr-P), pandemic (PP), and post-pandemic (Po-P) periods. Results: The numbers of patients admitted to the PID outpatient clinic in Pr-P, PP, and Po-P were 10,906, 6,396 and 15835, respectively. The proportion of hospitalized patients was higher in PP, at 7.8%, compared to the other periods (p <0.001). The median patient age was higher in Pr-P compared to the other periods (Pr-P: 56 (22-109) months, PP: 31 (11-71) months, and Po-P: 40 (15-75) months, p <0.001). The presence of any underlying disease was more common in PP patients (p=0.003), and neurological conditions were the most frequently encountered diseases in across all periods. The most common diagnoses for hospitalization during PP were prolonged fever, bacteremia, or sepsis. Antibiotic use was most frequent in Po-P (p <0.001). The rate of use of wider-spectrum antibiotics, such as piperacillin-tazobactam (p=0.006) and meropenem (p=0.018) increased during and after PP. Transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) requirements were more frequent during PP. Conclusion: A higher hospitalization rate in the PID outpatient clinic, younger children being hospitalized and monitored, an increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and greater transfer from the PID ward to the intensive care unit requirements were observed during the pandemic. Note: This study was presented as an oral presentation at the 3rd Aydın Pediatric Autumn School Congress held in Didim, Aydın, on October 27–29, 2023.}, number={4}