Emergency department utilization for impetigo among the pediatric population: A retrospective study of the national emergency department sample 2013-2015.

Background: Despite the large burden of impetigo in childhood and high frequency of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits for skin conditions, limited information exists on the use of EDs for impetigo among US children.

Objective: Our study aimed to generate national estimates of ED utilization and to identify sociodemographic predictors of impetigo-related ED visits.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of children ages 1-17 presenting to EDs with a primary diagnosis of impetigo using years 2013-2015 of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.

Results: Impetigo accounted for 163 909 of the 71 488, 511 pediatric ED visits and was the fourth most common presenting skin diagnosis. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, patients presenting to the ED with impetigo were most likely to be 6-11 years old, male, and from lower-income quartiles. Patients were most likely to be uninsured and most likely to present on weekends in the summer.

Conclusion: This study provided national-level estimates of ED use for impetigo among US children. Ultimately, the identification of factors associated with increased ED utilization may help in developing targeted interventions to reduce the use of emergency care for impetigo.