Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Pediatric Trauma: Six Years of Experience in a Swiss Trauma Center
Julianna Svantner1, Mirko Dolci, Catherine Heim
1From the Department of Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesia Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Insights
Pediatric trauma cases at University Hospital of Lausanne show injury patterns similar to European centers. Early mortality suggests improved prehospital care and resuscitation are crucial for better outcomes in pediatric trauma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma Care
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding pediatric trauma is vital for improving child healthcare outcomes.
- International comparisons highlight variations in trauma care and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an internationally comparable overview of pediatric trauma at the University Hospital of Lausanne.
- To identify key areas for improving the care of injured children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pediatric trauma registry data from 2011 to 2016.
- Inclusion of children (<16 years) admitted to the resuscitation room post-prehospital triage.
- Descriptive statistical analysis of demographic and injury data.
Main Results:
- 327 children included; 63% male, median age 8 years.
- Falls (45%), traffic accidents (29%), and burns (14%) were primary injury mechanisms.
- Severe trauma (ISS >15) in 97 children; overall mortality 5.5%, with 17.5% for severe trauma.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric trauma demographics align with other European centers.
- Elevated early mortality suggests a need for enhanced prehospital care and resuscitation strategies.
- Variations in mortality and injury severity underscore the importance of continuous quality improvement in pediatric trauma management.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to provide an internationally comparable overview of pediatric trauma of the University Hospital of Lausanne to improve the care of children.
Methods:
We analyzed the data from all injured children (<16 years of age) listed in our trauma registry from 2011 to 2016. These children were admitted to the resuscitation room after prehospital triage. Our data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
We included 327 children. Sixty-three percent were male, and the median age was 8 years. Severe trauma (Injury Severity Score (ISS), >15) occurred in 97 children. The principal mechanisms of injury were falls (45%), traffic accidents (29%), and burns (14%). The most frequently affected areas were the head and external body regions. Intensive care admissions amounted to 27%. Twenty percent of patients underwent immediate surgery (wound care, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery). The overall mortality rate was 5.5%, with a median ISS of 9. The mortality of severe trauma was 17.5%, with a median ISS of 22. Half of the children died within 6 hours. The main causes of death were falls from greater than 5 m and traffic accidents as pedestrians.
Conclusions:
The demographics and patterns of injury in the pediatric trauma population are similar to other European pediatric trauma centers, but the mortality and the severity of injuries can vary (United Kingdom, 3.7%, median ISS of 9; Denmark, 7.3%, median ISS of 9; and Germany, 13.4%, median ISS of 25). The elevated early mortality rate suggests that improvements in prehospital care and early resuscitation could decrease mortality.
More Related Videos
07:32Experimental Protocol of a Three-minute, All-out Arm Crank Exercise Test in Spinal-cord Injured and Able-bodied Individuals
Published on: June 8, 2017
10:07Cystometric and External Urethral Sphincter Measurements in Awake Rats with Implanted Catheter and Electrodes Allowing for Repeated Measurements
Published on: January 30, 2018