Head and Spinal Injuries in Pediatrics: Descriptive Study over 10 Years in a Tertiary Hospital
Liqaa Raffee1, Dania Al Miqdad2, Khaled Alawneh3
1Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JOR.
Insights
Optimal management of pediatric head and spinal traumas is crucial for reducing complications. This study analyzed 303 children, finding that prompt diagnosis and treatment significantly improve outcomes and survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric emergency medicine
- Trauma surgery
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Pediatric head and spinal traumas pose significant clinical challenges.
- Effective management is vital to prevent severe consequences and enhance patient outcomes.
- Falls and motor vehicle collisions are primary causes of these injuries in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics, management, and outcomes of pediatric head and spinal trauma.
- To identify common injury mechanisms, clinical presentations, and treatment modalities.
- To assess the effectiveness of current management strategies in improving patient recovery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 303 pediatric patients (<18 years) with traumatic head or spinal injuries.
- Data collection encompassed medical history, demographics, trauma mechanisms, clinical findings, and treatments.
- Severity assessment utilized the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
Main Results:
- Male patients predominated (70.6%). Road traffic accidents (48.5%) and falls (45.9%) were leading causes of blunt trauma.
- Head injuries were most common (83.5%), with observation as the primary treatment (70.3%). Mean GCS was 10.7.
- Most patients (89.8%) improved, with a mean hospital stay of 9.02 days. Spinal trauma cases (14) showed high survival (92.9%) with conservative management.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis and management are critical for reducing mortality and morbidity in pediatric head and spinal injuries.
- Accurate evaluation of injury characteristics is essential for effective treatment planning.
- Further research is needed to explore factors influencing outcomes, despite limitations in spinal injury case numbers.
Objectives:
Pediatric head and spinal traumas are challenging for healthcare professionals due to their potential for severe consequences. Understanding optimal management methods is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Head and spinal injuries are common in children, with falls and motor vehicle collisions as the leading causes. Common clinical features include altered mental status, vomiting, and neurological deficits. Primary injuries may involve the scalp, skull, brain, and spinal cord. Severity is classified using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
Methods:
This study included pediatric patients (<18 years) presenting to the emergency department with traumatic head or spinal injuries. Data collection included patients' medical history, demographic details, trauma mechanisms, clinical presentations, treatment modalities, and laboratory findings.
Results:
A total of 303 patients were analyzed, with male patients accounting for 214 (70.6%). Road traffic accidents (RTA) at 147 (48.5%) and falls at 139 (45.9%) were the most common traumas. Blunt injuries predominated, accounting for 292 cases (96.4%). The head was frequently involved 253 (83.5%). Observation was the most common treatment, used in 213 cases (70.3%), followed by intubation in 44 cases (14.5%). The mean GCS was 10.7. Most patients improved during hospitalization which stood at 272 (89.8%), with a mean length of stay of 9.02 days. Spinal trauma cases (14) showed male predominance at 12 (85.7%) and falls were the most common cause at 7 (50%). Conservative management was prevalent at 11 (78.6%), and most cases achieved survival at 13 (92.9%).
Conclusions:
Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to reduce mortality and morbidity in pediatric head and spinal injuries. Accurate evaluation of injury type, location, and mechanism is crucial for effective treatment. This study highlights the importance of optimal management strategies and emphasizes the need for further research to explore factors affecting mortality and morbidity. Limitations include the small number of spinal injury cases and regional generalization.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology