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Pediatric Trauma Training in India- Need of the Hour
Neha Thakur1, Prashant Mahajan2, Samir Misra3
1Department of Paediatrics, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226010, Uttar Pradesh, India. Correspondence to: Dr Neha Thakur, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences Lucknow 226010, Uttar Pradesh. nehaimsbhu@gmail.com.
Insights
India faces a rising epidemic of pediatric trauma, with road traffic injuries significantly impacting children under 14. A lack of standardized pediatric trauma training hinders effective emergency care, despite the critical need for specialized management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Road traffic injuries represent a growing epidemic in India, disproportionately affecting children under 14, who account for 11% of accident-related fatalities.
- Pediatric trauma has severe short-term and long-term physical and mental consequences due to its impact during critical developmental phases.
- India's limited trauma infrastructure includes only 5 Level 1 trauma centers, with most staff trained in Adult Trauma Life Support, not pediatric-specific care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical gap in standardized pediatric trauma training in India.
- To emphasize the urgent need for specialized training programs for healthcare providers managing pediatric trauma.
- To underscore the importance of timely and appropriate management during the 'golden hour' for pediatric trauma victims.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of the current state of pediatric trauma care in India.
- It analyzes existing data on pediatric road traffic injuries and fatalities.
- It assesses the training protocols for trauma care providers in Indian Level 1 trauma centers.
Main Results:
- Children under 14 constitute 11% of road accident deaths in India.
- Existing trauma care training predominantly focuses on adults, lacking pediatric-specific protocols.
- There is a significant deficiency in standardized pediatric trauma training programs across India.
Conclusions:
- The rising incidence of pediatric trauma in India necessitates immediate attention and targeted interventions.
- Establishing standardized pediatric trauma training programs is crucial to improve outcomes for injured children.
- Addressing the lack of specialized pediatric trauma care is essential to mitigate the long-term consequences of these injuries.
Abstract:
Pediatric trauma is preventable yet every year the number of road accident victims continues to rise. India is facing another epidemic in the form of pediatric trauma. Children less than 14 years account for 11% of accident-related deaths in India. Road traffic injury have multipronged effects on child's mental and physical development. Injury during developing phase can have both long-term and short-term consequences. Currently, India has only 5 Level 1 trauma centers where trauma care providers have mostly undergone training in Adult Trauma Life Support. It is well established that the outcome of pediatric trauma victims is largely dependent on the management received in the golden hour. Yet no standardized pediatric trauma training programme exists in India, and there is a need to address this gap.
