In children, eosinophilic airway inflammation is associated with deteriorating asthma over time. This is consistent with the hypothesis that airway inflammation has an adverse impact on the prognosis of childhood asthma, and suggests a role for monitoring inflammation in asthma management.

Aim The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology and health‐care utilisation of paediatric emergency department (ED) presentations due to poisoning. Methods A retrospective review of all ED presentations of paediatric poisoning cases (<18 years) reported to a tertiary toxicology service from 2015 to 2016 was conducted. Cases were classified into three age groups: pre‐school (0–6 years), primary school (7–11 years) and adolescent (12–17 years). Outcomes included patient transfer, length of ED stay (LOS) and proportion admitted to a medical ward, mental health unit or intensive care unit (ICU). Results From 764 consultations over a 2‐year period, 87 were excluded as non‐ED presentations. From these, there were 194 (29%; 47% female) pre‐school aged, 34 (5%; 41% female) primary school aged and 449 (66%; 77% female) adolescent presentations. Deliberate self‐poisoning was most common in 394 of 449 (88%) adolescents. Accidental exposures accounted for 159 (82%) of pre‐school presentations and natural toxins occurred in all three age groups. Paracetamol, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics and ibuprofen were the most common toxins. Discharge from ED occurred in 147 of 194 (76%) pre‐school, 24 of 34 (71%) primary school and 223 of 449 (50%) adolescent presentations. Of the 449 adolescents, 137 (31%) were admitted medically (median LOS 19.9 h), 19 were admitted to ICU (median LOS 71 h) and 70 (16%) admitted to mental health (median LOS 122 h). Five pre‐school aged children were admitted to ICU. Conclusions Adolescent deliberate self‐poisoning has a significant impact on hospital resources, with mental health problems requiring extended length of stay. There were fewer pre‐school accidental poisoning consultations, which were mainly discharged from ED.

Aim Studies reporting factors associated with paediatric/adolescent acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in the Emergency Department (ED) are lacking. The aim of this study is to describe paediatric/adolescent ED presentations involving ABD events. Methods A retrospective chart review of presentations involving ABD events, identified via hospital security log, to a tertiary referral paediatric ED during the 2017 calendar year. Data reported included: cause of presentation, use of sedation/physical restraint, ED/inpatient length of stay (LOS) and time requiring security staff presence. Results From 280 reported ABD episodes 26 were excluded leaving 254 events involving 150 patients across 233 presentations of whom 38 (25.3%) presented on multiple occasions. Median age was 14 years (interquartile range (IQR): 13–16), 132/233 (56.7%) were female, 167/233 (71.7%) primary mental health complaints, 30/233 (12.9%) deliberate self‐harm, 18/233 (7.7%) deliberate self‐poisoning, 11/233 (4.7%) acute intoxication and 7/233 (3.0%) other. Transport to hospital involved police and ambulance in 124/233 (53.2%), ambulance only 71/233 (30.5%), police only 16/233 (6.9%), relative or carer 20/233 (8.6%), with self‐presentation in 2/233 (0.9%). Sedation or physical restraint was used in 81/233 (34.8%), both 38/233 (16.3%), restraint only 26/233 (11.2%) and sedation only 17/234 (7.3%). Intra‐muscular droperidol accounted for 57/96 (59.4%) sedations, IM/IV benzodiazepines 15/96 (15.6%), IM/IV ketamine 5/96 (5.2%) and 19/96 (19.8%) other. Discharge from ED occurred in 171/233 (73.1%) with median ED LOS 5.1 h (IQR: 3.5–7.7) and median hospital LOS 92.4 h (IQR: 47.5–273.4) for those admitted. The Mental Health Act was utilised in 183/233 (78.5%) presentations. Median security staff time requirement per presentation was 2.4 h (IQR: 1.0–3.9). Conclusions Paediatric/adolescent ED presentations involving ABD are primarily due to mental health complaints. Less than half require the use of sedation/physical restraint. Time requiring security staff involvement is a significant resource consumption.