Why are children admitted to hospital?

The criteria for admitting children to hospital for medical care were examined in 399 consecutive, non-planned admissions to the Nottingham Children's Hospital between October 1975 and January 1976. Sixty-one per cent of the children were referred direct to the casualty department by their parents. Over 20% were admitted primarily for social reasons, and many of the remainder came from homes judged to be at a disadvantage. The hospital medical services for children should be aware of the needs of parents as well as of the needs of sick children in their catchment area.