EN
TÜRKÇE
Poster - 61
Blunt Trauma in Children
H Jashari, S Grajçevci, B Kelmendi, HM Berisha, I Ademaj, K Ukëperaj
Pediatric Surgery Clinic, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, UCCK
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Care of the injured child requires special knowledge, precise management and scrupulous attention to detail. Every physician responsible for the resuscitation and stabilization of a pediatric trauma victim must be familiar with the tenets of modern trauma care and must be fully cognizant of the special characteristics of and unique needs of the injured child. Because multiple-system injury is the rule rather than the exception in pediatric trauma care, every organ system must be assumed to be injured until proven otherwise.
Purpose and methods: Upon looking at the record of patients at our clinic and literature, we have seen that trauma care patients account for 39% of all pediatric deaths and remains the leading cause of childhood mortality. Approximately 40% of injuries recorded occur in motor vehicle crashes (MVC). The next most common scene for pediatric injury is home. Approximately 35% of significant injuries occur as the result of mishaps in the very environment that should be sheltering and nurturing to the child. Unfortunately, the proliferation of handguns and the growing proclivity toward urban violence has increased the volume of penetrating injury seen in children aged 13 to 18 years.
Findings and conclusions: The vast majority of pediatric injuries occur as the result of blunt trauma. Penetrating injuries account for a very small proportion of pediatric trauma care. Falls remain the most common cause of severe injury in infants and toddlers. Bicycle-related mishaps, with or without interaction with motor vehicles, are still the most significant problem for children and adolescent. The financial burden of trauma care patients represent is huge. It is essential to understand that even blunt mechanical force may be associated with a penetrating injury as a result of fender edges, door handles or shrapnel. Thus, the physician treating the injured child must be thorough and must proceed according to a rational plan that is characterized by scrupulous attention to even the most minute detail.