[Characterization of adolescents and reason for the visit when attending the pediatric emergency department of the General Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea González].

RATIONALE: Emergency health care demanded by adolescents has increased due to a variety of specific disorders.

AIMS: (1) Describe the frequency of emergency services utilization by adolescents; (2) Identify the reason for the visit; (3) Describe psychosocial and health features of patients; and (4) Describe information related to informed assent.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive, and prospective study carried out in patients aged 12 to 18 years, treated in the emergency department of General Hospital "Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez ", between 2008 and 2009. Survey data as well as the HEADSS sociodemographic questionnaire was used.

RESULTS: A total of 170 patients were included in the study. The average age was 14.1 years; 55% were female. The main reasons for consultation were trauma (32.9%), followed by non-surgical gastrointestinal pathologies (12.4%), acute abdomen (11.8%), psychiatric emergencies (10.6%), neurological (8.8%), infectious or gynecologic obstetrical (both 8.2%). In 81% of cases, relatives (mostly parents) were the ones who decided to take the patient to the emergency room. It is noteworthy that in 64% of cases the patients had previously gone to the emergency room. Of the patients, 72.4% reported not having regular medical care and the remaining reported that medical care was referred to once or twice a year.

CONCLUSIONS: Among patients seeking emergency care, a significant proportion are teenagers. The causes are varied, with care ranging from posttraumatic aspects to psycho-behavioral disorders. There is minimal culture in this age group to agree about their own treatment through informed consent.