Acil Serviste Küçük Bir Mülteciyim: Mülteci Çocuklarda Travma Maruziyeti ve Sonuçları

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, acil servise fiziksel travma nedeniyle başvuran mülteci çocukların travma mekanizmaları, klinik özellikleri ve sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu geriye dönük gözlemsel çalışma, 1 Ocak 2020- 31 Aralık 2024 tarihleri arasında Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi Acil Servisi’nde yürütülmüştür. Fiziksel travma nedeniyle başvuran, 18 yaş altı ve mülteci veya geçici sığınmacı statüsünde olan çocuk hastalar çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Demografik veriler, travma nedenleri, klinik ve laboratuvar bulgular ile hasta sonuçları analiz edilmiştir. Psikolojik travma olguları dışlanmıştır. Yabancı uyruklu olan, ancak iş, gezi ya da eğitim gibi sığınma talebi dışında nedenlerle ülkeye giriş yapan çocuklar dışlanmıştır. Bulgular: Toplam 167 hasta çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların medyan yaşı 11 (IQR: 4–14) yıl, %37,1’i kızdır. En sık travma nedenleri düşme (%45,5), oyun kazası (%16,2), fiziksel saldırı (%13,8) ve trafik kazası (%13,8) idi. Hastaneye yatırılan hastalar daha küçük yaşta (7,5 vs. 12 yıl, p=0,014), daha yüksek ambulans kullanımı (%62,5 vs. %14,3, p<0,001) ve mortalite (%12,5 vs. %0, p<0,001) oranına sahipti. Bu grupta hemoglobin, trombosit ve ürik asit düzeyleri düşük, lökosit sayıları ise yüksekti (tümü p<0,05). Sonuç: Mülteci çocuklar, özellikle küçük yaş grubu, ciddi travma ve komplikasyonlar açısından yüksek risk altındadır. Bulgular, bu kırılgan gruba yönelik yaşa özel koruyucu stratejilere duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Mülteci çocuklar
• travma
• acil servis
• pediatrik travma
• mülteci sağlığı

I'm a Little Refugee in ED: Trauma Exposure and Outcomes in Refugee Children

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the trauma mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of refugee children presenting to the emergency department (ED) due to physical injuries. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the ED Duzce University school of Medicine Hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024. Pediatric patients under the age of 18, identified as refugees or temporary asylum seekers and admitted due to physical trauma, were included. Data regarding demographics, trauma mechanisms, clinical and laboratory findings, and outcomes were analyzed. Psychological trauma cases were excluded. Children who are also foreign nationals but who entered the country for reasons other than asylum, such as work, travel, or education, are excluded. Results: A total of 167 patients were included. The median age was 11 years (IQR: 4–14), and 37.1% were female. The most frequent trauma mechanisms were falls (45.5%), play-related accidents (16.2%), physical assault (13.8%), and traffic accidents (13.8%). Hospitalized patients were younger (7.5 vs. 12 years, p=0.014), had higher ambulance usage (62.5% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and higher mortality (12.5% vs. 0%, p<0.001). Lower hemoglobin, platelet, and uric acid levels, and higher leukocyte counts were observed in hospitalized patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: Refugee children, particularly younger age groups, are at increased risk for severe trauma and related complications. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted injury prevention strategies and age-specific protection measures in refugee communities.

Keywords

• Refugee children
• trauma
• emergency department
• pediatric trauma
• refugee health

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