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Pediatric traumatic brain injuries in war zones: a systematic literature review
Alex S Aguirre1, Kenny Rojas1, Alcy R Torres1
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Insights
Children in war zones frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), with blasts being the most common cause. This study highlights the urgent need for better TBI management and prevention strategies in pediatric conflict casualties.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Global Health Security
- Neurotrauma Research
Background:
- Armed conflicts result in devastating pediatric casualties, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Children in war zones face significant challenges due to limited access to healthcare.
- This study addresses the need to understand TBI in pediatric populations affected by conflict.
Approach:
- A systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
- Publications on pediatric TBI in war zones were identified and analyzed.
- Data collection focused on injury characteristics, outcomes, and management.
Key Points:
- Head injuries are the most frequent casualty among children in war zones.
- The mean age of affected children is 8-10 years, with Afghanistan being a primary origin.
- Blast injuries are the predominant mechanism, with mortality rates ranging from 3% to 47%.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical lack of evidence-based data on pediatric TBI in conflict zones.
- Urgent research, specialized training, and deployment of experts are necessary.
- Improving outcomes for children with TBI in war requires global commitment and resource allocation.
Background:
Pediatric casualties in war zones are a devastating consequence of armed conflicts, causing significant challenges for affected children, especially in the context of poor access to care. This study aimed to understand traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in this high-risk population and to identify and provide information for the stakeholders, as well as to recognize severe long-term consequences and develop strategies to prevent them, thus minimizing their burden while aiding in the management of these cases.
Methods:
We carried out a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines to identify publications discussing traumatic brain injuries in children in the context of war zones, and we analyzed all the collected data.
Results:
Our study showed that head injuries were the most common casualty in war zones; male and female children were affected, and the mean age was 8-10 years. Most children were reported to be from Afghanistan, and blasts were the most common mechanism of injury. The mortality fluctuated from 3 to 47%.
Conclusion:
There is a lack of evidence-based information regarding the characterization, approach, and management of children with TBI in conflict zones. While the world finds ways to live in peace, there is an urgency to research, train, and deploy enough specialists to these areas, if governments are serious about improving outcomes for this population.
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