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[Comparative study of the causes of severe trauma in 1990 and 1998]
E Carreras González1, J Picanyol Peirató
1Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, C/Sant Antoni M. Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona.
Insights
Pediatric severe trauma cases decreased in younger children but increased in older children between 1990 and 1998. Motorbike and bicycle accidents rose, with head injuries remaining the most common severe trauma in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Severe trauma in children presents a significant public health challenge.
- Understanding epidemiological trends is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of severe trauma in pediatric patients.
- To analyze temporal variations in pediatric trauma incidence and characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric trauma patients admitted to Sant Pau Hospital's intensive care unit in 1990 and 1998.
- Investigation of accident causes, age distribution, lesion types, and admission patterns.
- Comparative analysis of data between the two study years.
Main Results:
- A shift in age distribution was observed, with fewer cases in children under eight and more in those aged 8-15.
- Pedestrian and car accidents decreased, while motorbike and bicycle accidents significantly increased.
- Cranial traumathism remained the most prevalent severe injury, accounting for 75% in 1990 and 66% in 1998.
Conclusions:
- Significant epidemiological shifts in pediatric severe trauma have occurred between 1990 and 1998.
- Changes in accident types necessitate updated prevention and intervention strategies for pediatric trauma.
- Head injuries continue to be the primary concern in severe pediatric trauma cases.
Objectives:
To investigate the epidemiology of severe trauma in pediatric patients and to analyse the variations that occurred along the time.
Methods:
Patients aged less than 16 years old admitted in 1990 and 1998 in our intensive care unit of Sant Pau Hospital with diagnosis of trauma were included. The different causes of accidents regarding age, kinf of lesion and admission type were investigated. The variations observed between the two years were compared.
Results:
The 12.5% of 88 patients admitted in 1990 were aged less than two years, 36.6% were aged between two and eight years old and 48.8% between eight and fifteen years. Pedestrians were the main cause of accident with 38.37% followed by precipitation in 27.90% and car accident with 24.26%. In 1998, 3.03% of 66 patients who were admitted had less than two years, 28.78% were aged between two and eight years and 68.18% between eight and fifteen years old. The precipitation was the main cause of accident and occurred in 24.24%. Motorbike, car and bicycle accident was observed in 18.18%, 16.16% and in 15.15% respectively. Cranial traumathism was the most important lesion in both years, representing 75% in 1990 and 66% in 1998.
Conclusions:
A decrease of accidents in pediatric patients aged less than eight years and an increase of them in patients with age between eight and fifteen years has been observed. Also a decrease in pedestrians and car accidents has been observed while a dramatic increase of motorbike accidents and bicycle accidents appeared. The cranial thraumathism was the most important lesion observed in both years.