Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic and Acquired Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Ireland

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury
• Neurology

Background:

• Limited epidemiological data exists for pediatric traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and acquired nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI).
• Ireland's single specialist rehabilitation facility allows for comprehensive population-level data collection on pediatric SCI.
• Understanding the incidence and etiology of pediatric SCI is crucial for public health initiatives and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the epidemiology of pediatric TSCI and NTSCI in Ireland.
• To analyze the incidence, causes, and injury patterns of pediatric SCI in the Irish population.
• To compare Irish pediatric SCI data with international findings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the National Rehabilitation Hospital's Patient Administration System.
• Inclusion criteria: patients aged 15 years or younger at SCI onset.
• Data analyzed included gender, age, etiology, injury level/AIS, with population denominators from census data (1996, 2002, 2006, 2011).

Main Results:

• From 2000 onwards, 22 TSCI and 26 NTSCI cases were identified in children.
• TSCI etiology: transportation (45.5%) and surgical complications (36.4%). NTSCI etiology: transverse myelitis (42.3%) and vascular (20%).
• Incidence rates per million per year: TSCI (0-3.1), NTSCI (0-6.5). Injury patterns showed paraplegia as the most common type for both etiologies.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of pediatric SCI in Ireland appears similar to or slightly lower than in other developed countries.
• Injury patterns in Irish children with SCI are consistent with international observations.
• The findings underscore the importance of continued surveillance and prevention strategies for pediatric SCI.