Effect of weather on attendance with injury at a paediatric emergency department

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.