Life on the farm-children at risk.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Trauma
• Agricultural Safety
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Over 1 million children live and work on farms, facing unique risks from animals and machinery.
• The close proximity of home and work environments on farms creates specific hazards for children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of farm-related injuries in pediatric trauma patients.
• To identify patterns in injury timing, mechanisms, and treatment needs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of pediatric trauma patients from November 1994 to August 2001.
• Data collected included injury severity score (ISS), Glascow Coma Scale (GCS), time to presentation, injury season/day, length of stay, and injury mechanism.

Main Results:

• 94 out of 1,832 pediatric trauma patients had farm-related injuries.
• Injuries were most common in summer (44%) and on weekends (55%), with animals (41%) and falls (34%) as primary mechanisms.
• Fractures/dislocations (52%) and lacerations/avulsions (38%) were prevalent; 28% required operations, and 3 children died.

Conclusions:

• Farm injuries in children lead to significant morbidity and frequently require hospitalization.
• Injuries peak during warmer months and weekends, highlighting potential for targeted prevention.
• Timely transfer to a pediatric trauma center is crucial for cost-effective, high-quality care.