Effect of weather on attendance with injury at a paediatric emergency department
- Correspondence to: Dr D M Macgregor, Accident and Emergency Department, Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZG, UK; diana.macgregor.grampian.scot.nhs.uk
- Accepted 12 October 2002
Abstract
Objectives: To ascertain whether the weather affects the attendance rate of children with injuries at a paediatric accident and emergency department.
Methods: The maximum daily temperature and weather conditions (rain/cloud/sun) were noted over a three month period in spring/summer 2002, together with the number of children attending with new injuries or trauma.
Results: There was a direct association between trauma attendance and clement weather with higher attendances on dry and sunny days. There was a less obvious association between maximum daily temperature and attendance.
Conclusions: These findings confirm the anecdotal belief that warm sunny weather results in a higher attendance of paediatric injuries.
