Call to Action: The Rise of Pediatric Gun Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines and describes circumstances involving non-fatal firearm injuries in a pediatric population from a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in the southeastern U.S. Researchers analyzed Firearm Injury Questionnaire (FIQ) data collected from 144 children and adolescents, aged 2-17 years, who were treated in the emergency department and/or admitted to the hospital for non-fatal firearm injuries. Descriptive statistics are presented regarding participant demographics and FIQ responses, such as caregiver information, mental health history, adverse childhood experience (ACE) exposure, firearm access, injury intent, relationship to shooter, type of firearm used, and context of injury. Most patients identified as Black (82%) and male (75%), with most injuries categorized as intentional (72%) versus unintentional (24%) assaults. The average ACEs score was .60, with only 37% of patients' reporting any ACE experience; however, nearly half (47%) of patients reported experiencing a traumatic event beyond an identified ACE. Community violence was the most common context that attributed to patients' assaults (56%). As U.S. pediatric gun injury and fatality trends are increasing, this study provides timely data regarding pediatric firearm injuries and exposure to community violence. These findings highlight the need to provide integrated health services to pediatric patients experiencing non-fatal firearm injuries. Researchers discuss public health implications for integrated mental health care services, hospital- and school-based violence intervention programs, policy recommendations, and directions for future research.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-023-00568-4.