Aim To determine characteristics and risk factors for non‐urgent presentations (NUPs) (triage categories 4 and 5) in neonates to a Western Sydney metropolitan mixed adult emergency department (ED) and the effect of COVID‐19 on presentations and admissions. Methods A retrospective medical record study examined neonates (age <4 weeks) presenting to the ED between October 2019 and September 2020 and assessed risk factors for NUPs including the impact of COVID‐19. Regression analysis was used to determine which risk factors were significant for NUPs to ED and whether there were any significant differences in urgency of presentations and admissions during the post‐COVID‐19 time (on/after 11th March 2020). Results From 277 presentations, 114 (41%) were non‐urgent. After regression analysis, being a mother born overseas (odds ratio 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.13–4.12, P = 0.02) was a significant risk factor and maternal age (odds ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.96–0.1.00, P = 0.02) was a significant protective factor for NUPs in the neonatal period. There were 54 (47%) NUPs pre‐COVID‐19 and 60 (53%) NUPs post‐COVID (P = 0.70). There were similar presenting complaints and diagnoses compared to the literature. Conclusions Mothers born overseas and younger maternal age were found to be significant risk factors for NUPs in the neonatal period. There was no apparent impact on presentations and admissions to ED during the COVID‐19 period. Further studies are warranted to further evaluate risk factors for NUPs in the neonatal period and further elucidate the impact of COVID‐19 on presentations and admissions, specifically in later waves of the virus.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funding sources played no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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AimsThe aim of this study was to characterise and compare the biopsychosocial characteristics of children admitted with failure to thrive (FTT), subdivided into those with underlying medical complexities (categorised as organic FTT – OFTT) and those with none (categorised as non‐organic FTT – NOFTT), with a focus on the medical, nutritional, feeding skills and psychosocial domains.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records was conducted in children admitted with FTT from January 2010 to December 2020. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 353 children were included, with the mean age of presentation 0.82 ± 2.05 years (OFTT 1.16 ± 2.50 years, NOFTT 0.49 ± 1.41 years, P = 0.002). Approximately, half of the children were classified as having OFTT. These children had lower birth weights, were more likely to have a history of intrauterine growth restriction and had longer hospital stays. The NOFTT group had significantly more abnormal feeding strategies identified in their caregivers, whereas the OFTT group had more delayed feeding skills and oral aversion. There was no significant difference in psychosocial domains, with both groups having a comparably high risk of abuse and neglect.ConclusionsThe classification of FTT as non‐organic or organic based purely on psychosocial parameters did not reflect the complex nature of FTT within our local population. These groups had different medical variables, and caregiver feeding strategies. A multidisciplinary team approach is recommended for the assessment and intervention for children with FTT to address these domains and the complex interactions between them.