Trauma related admissions to the PICU at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg

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Nirav Patel1, I Khofi-Phiri2, L R Mathiva2

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 29 Princess of Wales Terrace, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa. niravpatel44@gmail.com.

Pediatric Surgery International
|July 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Road traffic injuries (RTI) are the leading cause of paediatric trauma admissions in low-income countries. Younger children and female patients with RTI face a higher mortality risk, highlighting critical areas for intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Public Health in Developing Nations

Background:

  • Paediatric trauma significantly impacts morbidity and mortality in low and middle-income countries.
  • Limited data exists on paediatric trauma from these specific regions.
  • Understanding local patterns is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the demographic and injury profile of paediatric trauma admissions.
  • To analyze treatment modalities and outcomes in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  • To identify risk factors for mortality in paediatric trauma patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of trauma cases admitted to the PICU at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).
  • Data collected for admissions between 2011 and 2013.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, injury types, treatments, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Trauma constituted one-fifth of PICU admissions; road traffic injuries (RTI) were most common (66%).
  • The overall mortality rate was 9.0%, with RTI accounting for 64% of deaths.
  • Children aged 0-4 years had the highest mortality (64%), and younger age (<4 years) was linked to increased mortality risk.

Conclusions:

  • Road traffic injuries (RTI) are the primary cause of paediatric trauma admissions to the PICU.
  • Factors such as RTI, female gender, and age under 4 years are associated with increased mortality risk.
  • This data underscores the need for focused prevention and treatment strategies for paediatric trauma in similar settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
Critical carePaediatric surgeryPaediatric traumaPaediatricsPublic healthRoad traffic injurySouth AfricaToxin ingestion

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