Maternal and child health after injuries: a two-year follow-up of a nationally representative sample

The objective of this study was to examine the association between childhood injury and health outcomes among survivors and their mothers using a national survey in the United States (US).

This was a longitudinal analysis of a nationally representative sample.

Secondary analysis of the 1997-2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was performed. Children (aged 2-18 years) with or without injuries were followed up for two years. Injuries captured in the study were those associated with at least one hospitalization, emergency department visit, or office-based visit. Outcome measures were child and maternal general and mental health status. Multiple mixed-logistic regressions were used with suboptimal health defined as the response of poor or fair health versus good, very good, or excellent health.

Of the 63,422 children analyzed, 3251 (4.9%) were injured, representing 3.6 million US children. Injured children were more likely to be male, white, and older than those without injuries (P < 0.01). About a fifth of injured children suffered head injuries. Injuries were strongly associated with suboptimal general and mental health status in children (adjusted odds ratios [AORs], 1.35 and 1.36, respectively, P < 0.05). Mothers of children with injuries were also more likely to report suboptimal mental health (AOR, 1.30, P < 0.05).

Injuries among children are associated with lasting adverse effects in general and mental health. To improve health outcomes of pediatric injuries, further follow-up care may be needed to ensure that they return to pre-injury health levels. These results highlight the importance of primary prevention and the long-term impact of injuries on the health of children and their mothers.