Firearm-Related Pediatric Head Trauma: A Scoping Review
Ron Gadot1,2, Melissa A LoPresti1,2, David N Smith1,2
1Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Insights
Firearm-related traumatic brain injury (frTBI) in children is understudied. Research shows higher risks in males, youth, minorities, and in homes with firearms, highlighting a need for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Neurotrauma
Background:
- Firearm-related injury is a major cause of death and disability in children.
- Pediatric firearm-related traumatic brain injury (frTBI) is an understudied area with significant morbidity and mortality.
- There is a critical need to understand frTBI burden and develop interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess existing evidence on pediatric frTBI.
- To identify trends and knowledge gaps in frTBI burden and prevention.
- To inform public health and neurosurgical interventions.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Searched 5 databases (Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsychINFO, Academic Search Complete).
- Included English studies on pediatric frTBI epidemiology, prevention, and policy; excluded general firearm injury studies.
Main Results:
- Six studies met inclusion criteria.
- Limited data exists on the burden of pediatric frTBI.
- Increased frTBI risk observed in males, youth, minorities, and firearm-owning households.
Conclusions:
- Understanding frTBI epidemiology is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
- Further research is needed to evaluate screening, counseling, and policy advocacy effectiveness.
- Neurosurgical engagement in public health and prevention is vital to reduce frTBI.
Background:
Firearm-related injury is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations. Despite a disproportionate role in the most morbid outcomes in both traumatic brain injury and firearm-related injury populations, firearm-related traumatic brain injury (frTBI) is an understudied epidemiological entity. There is need to increase understanding and promote interventions that reduce this burden of disease.
Objective:
To assess the evidence characterizing pediatric frTBI to highlight trends and gaps regarding burden of disease and interventions to reduce frTBI.
Methods:
We conducted a scoping review under Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines on peer-reviewed studies across 5 databases (Medline OVID, EMBASE, Web of Science Legal Collection, PsychINFO, and Academic Search Complete). English studies examining pediatric frTBI epidemiology, prevention, and/or social or legal policy advocacy were included. Articles were excluded if they more generally discussed pediatric firearm-related injury without specific analysis of frTBI.
Results:
Six studies satisfied inclusion criteria after screening and full-text assessment. Limited studies specifically addressed the burden of disease caused by frTBI. There was an increased risk for both injury and death from frTBI in men, preteenage and teenage youths, minorities, and individuals in firearm-owning households. Further study is required to ascertain if suggested methods of targeted patient screening, firearm-injury prevention counseling, and advocacy of safety-oriented policy tangibly affect rates or outcomes of pediatric frTBI.
Conclusion:
By understanding published epidemiological data and areas of intervention shown to reduce frTBIs, neurosurgeons can become further engaged in public health and prevention rather than strictly treatment after injury.
