Abstract
Objective: We evaluated the demographic characteristics, radiological findings, laboratory values and the relationship between the affected organs of pediatric patients with blunt trauma in our region.
Material and Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively by scanning the files of pediatric patients with blunt trauma within a year. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, type of trauma, injured body area, radiological findings and laboratory results, duration of hospitalization, and mortality rates.
Results: Of the 304 children aged 0-18 included in the study, 188 (62%) were boys and 116 (38%) were girls. The rate of exposure to blunt trauma was highest in the 1-6 age group (36.8%). The highest admission rates were observed in July and August. In-vehicle traffic accidents were the first among the causes of injuries, followed by falling from a height. Six patients with multi-trauma accompanied by head injury died. Lung contusion was the most common thoracic trauma. Tube thoracostomy was performed in 3 patients due to pneumothorax. Liver, spleen and kidney injuries were observed most frequently in blunt abdominal trauma, respectively. No significant relationship was found between AST and ALT and the severity of the affected organ and injury (p>0.05). No laparotomy was needed during the follow-up. The average length of hospital stay was 3.26±0.40 days (1–21 days). The length of hospital stay was prolonged, particularly in patients with head and thoracic trauma, but no significant difference was observed (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The reasons for the blunt trauma in pediatric age groups differ according to the regions, and in areas where traffic accidents are common, advanced trauma centers are needed in order to treat such patients with multiple organ injuries. Although close monitoring of blunt abdominal trauma reduces unnecessary interventions and explorations, further trauma protocols are needed for the management of these patients.