[Traumatologic pediatric emergencies--part I: Injury, drowning and blunt abdominal trauma]

Injuries are responsible for considerable morbidity and much long-term or permanent disability. They are also the leading cause of death for children aged 0 to 5. In high income countries around the world 20000 children die each year from injuries. A recent UNICEF report has compiled data for 2001 on the leading cause of death for Europe. The burden of disease measure has identified injury as causative in 40% of years lost from premature death in children. Drowning and near drowning is the number two killer for children aged 0 to 5. In 30% of all cases cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and intensive care are needed. 11.5% of all drowning accidents are fatal, 9.5% of nearly drowned children show extensive neurologic deficits. Though the absolute number of deaths from injury in children has decreased during the last 20 years (in 1980: 18.8 dead children per 100000; in 2004: 3.0 dead children in 100000), still approximately 400 children die from injuries in Germany every year. The public health approach to injury involves not only deaths but also the burden of disease and loss of health from disability. Severe traumatologic pediatric emergencies are thermal injury, drowning and blunt abdominal trauma.