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Epidemiological trends of pediatric trauma: A single-center study of 791 patients
Mukesh Sharma1, B K Lahoti, Gaurav Khandelwal
1Department of Surgery, M. G. M. Medical College and M. Y. Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Insights
Pediatric trauma is most common in school-aged children (6-12 years), with falls and road traffic accidents being leading causes. Most injuries are unintentional and preventable, highlighting the need for targeted safety strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric trauma epidemiology
- Injury prevention research
- Public health
Background:
- Trauma significantly impacts pediatric morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding epidemiological parameters is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze epidemiological factors contributing to pediatric trauma.
- To assess trauma-related morbidity and mortality in children under 12.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 791 pediatric patients (<12 years) over one year.
- Assessment of age, sex, trauma mode, injury type, location, and mortality.
- Analysis of pediatric trauma trends.
Main Results:
- Trauma most frequent in 6-12 year olds; males outnumbered females (1.9:1).
- Orthopedic injuries (37.8%) were most common; falls (39.4%), RTA (27.8%), and burns (15.2%) were leading causes.
- Home (51.8%) was the primary location; 98.4% of injuries were unintentional; overall mortality was 6.4%.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric trauma epidemiology differs from adult trends.
- The majority of pediatric injuries are preventable.
- Preventive strategies should be tailored to specific pediatric epidemiological trends.
Aim:
To assess the various epidemiological parameters that influence the causation of trauma as well as the consequent morbidity and mortality in the pediatric age group.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective study of 791 patients of less than 12 years age, was carried out over a period of 1 year (August 2009 to July 2010), and pediatric trauma trends, with regards to the following parameters were assessed: Age group, sex, mode of trauma, type of injury, place where the trauma occurred and the overall mortality as well as mortality.
Results:
Overall trauma was most common in the school-going age group (6-12 years), with male children outnumbering females in the ratio of 1.9:1. It was observed that orthopedic injuries were the most frequent (37.8%) type of injuries, whereas fall from height (39.4%), road traffic accident (27.8%) and burns (15.2%) were the next most common modes of trauma. Home was found out to be the place where maximum trauma occurred (51.8%). Maximum injuries happened unintentionally (98.4%). Overall mortality was found out to be 6.4% (n = 51).
Conclusions:
By knowing the epidemiology of pediatric trauma, we conclude that majority of pediatric injuries are preventable and pediatric epidemiological trends differ from those in adults. Therefore, preventive strategies should be made in pediatric patients on the basis of these epidemiological trends.
