Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

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BioMed Central, Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 1(40), 2014

DOI: 10.1186/1824-7288-40-38

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A prospective study on ambulatory care provided by primary care pediatricians during influenza season

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Aim of this study was to obtain a picture of the nature of the primary care pediatricians' visits during a winter season. We investigated reasons for visits, diagnosis, and pattern of prescription in 284 children. The reason for visit was a planned visit in 54% of cases, a well-being examination in 26%, and an urgent visit for an acute problem in 20% of cases. Cough was the most common symptom reported (61%). The most common pediatricians' diagnosis was flu-like syndrome (47%). No disease was found by pediatrician in 27% of children with a symptom reported by caregivers. Antibiotics were prescribed in 25% of children, the vast majority of which affected by viral respiratory infections. The unjustified access to physician's visit may lead to a inappropriate prescription of drugs.