Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Ballistic Fractures

Officially declared a public health crisis, firearm violence is a growing epidemic in the United States. Pediatric firearm-related injuries are now the number one cause of death of children and adolescents in the United States, with approximately 22% of all injuries resulting in fracture. Knowledge regarding gunshot wound injury and management is increasingly relevant to orthopaedic surgeons as the rate of pediatric gun violence continues to climb across the nation. Previous guidelines and recommendations were written when high-velocity weapons and deforming bullets were only available for military usage. Widespread accessibility and use of firearms among civilians has contributed to increasing rates of ballistic injuries among children and adolescents. This review aims to aggregate the literature regarding ballistic fracture etiology, treatment, and management for the pediatric population.