Characteristics and trends of pediatric trauma on Jeju Island, Korea: a community-level serial cross-sectional study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Chaemoon Lim1, Jung-Hwan Oh2, Jeong Rae Yoo3
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
Insights
Pediatric injuries on Jeju Island are rising, with toddlers most affected. Accidental injuries are common, but self-harm and violence show concerning increases, necessitating targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Pediatric Trauma
Background:
- Pediatric injuries pose a significant public health challenge globally.
- Understanding local injury patterns is crucial for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and epidemiological trends of pediatric injuries on Jeju Island, Korea.
- To identify high-risk age groups, injury mechanisms, and temporal patterns.
Main Methods:
- Community-level serial cross-sectional analysis of pediatric patients (≤18 years) visiting emergency departments.
- Utilized data from the Jeju Injury Surveillance System over a 10-year period.
- Examined annual incidence, injury characteristics, and trends.
Main Results:
- Toddlers (42.5%) were the most injured age group; males were more affected (1.7:1 ratio).
- Injuries peaked in summer, evenings, and weekends, often occurring at home and being accidental.
- Blunt force, slips/falls, and motor vehicle collisions were common mechanisms. A concerning rise in self-harm/suicide and assault/violence injuries was noted, particularly in infants and adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Targeted injury prevention strategies are essential for high-risk pediatric populations on Jeju Island.
- Resource allocation should consider specific injury types, high-risk groups, and times of day/year.
- Effective mitigation of pediatric trauma requires a focused approach based on epidemiological data.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and epidemiological trends of pediatric injuries among patients visiting emergency departments on Jeju Island, Korea.
Methods:
Using a community-level serial cross-sectional analysis, we targeted pediatric patients 18 years or younger who visited emergency departments for injuries over a 10-year period. A comprehensive examination of injury characteristics and epidemiological trends was performed using the data sourced from the Jeju Injury Surveillance System. This included an evaluation of the annual incidence and overall trends in pediatric injury cases.
Results:
The study found toddlers (42.5% of cases) to be the most frequently injured age group. Male patients were more prone to injuries, with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Injuries among visitors accounted for 17.3% of cases, with a seasonal spike in summer, evenings, and weekends. Most incidents occurred at home, were predominantly accidental in nature, with adolescents more likely to require emergency medical system services. The common mechanisms of injuries were blunt force (49.2%), slips/falls (22.0%), and motor vehicle collisions (13.2%), leading to bruises, cuts, and sprains. Over the decade, a general increase in pediatric injuries was observed. Accidental injuries initially surged but later stabilized; however, self-harm/suicide and assault/ violence injuries showed a concerning upward trend. Age-specific analysis revealed increasing trends in infants and adolescents.
Conclusion:
The result of the present study underscore the crucial need for targeted injury prevention and resource allocation strategies, particularly for high-risk groups and time of injury, to effectively mitigate pediatric trauma on Jeju Island.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
01:22Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
01:22Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds...