Trauma, Pediatric

Basics

Description

  • Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children >1 yr in the US
  • Most cases of pediatric trauma are minor, single-system injuries
  • The evaluation and management of severely injured children largely mirrors that of adults with special consideration of pediatric injury patterns, key anatomic and physiologic differences, medication dosing, and equipment size

Etiology

  • Blunt trauma accounts for ∼90% of pediatric injury and can lead to multisystem injuries as force is widely distributed
  • Head injury is most common cause of death
  • Common mechanisms of severe injury include motor vehicle collisions, auto vs pedestrian, and fall from height
  • Most victims of nonaccidental trauma (NAT) are <3 yr; 1/3 of these being patients <6 mo

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