EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PEDIATRIC EMERGENCIES AND URGENT CARE CASES TREATED AT THE URGENT CARE UNIT (UPA) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GURUPI – TOCANTINS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiologically, children generally represent the largest fraction of the world's population, with children and adolescents under 15 years of age comprising 1.8 billion (28%) of the 6.4 billion people living in the world. However, there is a wide variation in health problems among children that fluctuate between nations, linked to numerous factors, often related to each other (STANTON; BEHRMAN, 2017). METHODS: This is a health research study, with a bibliographic, quantitative, exploratory and documentary approach, in which investigative forms were used to collect data from a population of children aged zero to under 12 years old treated in an emergency care unit. The research benefited from an educational strategy involving the distribution of educational material on accident prevention among children. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This study analyzed a total of 312 children treated, 109 (34.9%) of whom were female and 203 (65.1%) male. These data reflect a predominance of males among the pediatric care provided. In the analysis of the distribution of reasons by sex, boys (203 cases; 65.1%) were predominant in all groups, especially in accidents (72 cases; 66.7%) and seizures (18 cases; 75%). This may reflect behavioral and social differences associated with gender. Girls (109 cases; 34.9%) presented a higher relative frequency of urinary tract infections (4 cases; 66.7%) and anxiety (10 cases; 55.6%), suggesting anatomical and psychosocial aspects as contributing factors. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Children under 5 years old are more susceptible to falls, poisoning, and ingestion of foreign objects due to their natural curiosity and less supervision in some situations. When we analyze the panorama regarding gender, studies suggest that boys have a higher prevalence of accidents, especially those related to higher-risk activities, such as bicycles and motorcycles. Cases involving motor vehicles and snakebites have a greater potential for escalating to critical situations, reinforcing the need for efficient screening and specialized care.