Pediatric polytrauma: a retrospective epidemiological analysis from 2018 to 2019

Abstract

Objectives (oral/poster only) Worldwide, pediatric trauma is the main cause of concern, regarding the frequency of admissions to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED), and is the leading cause of death in this age group, especially when it comes to polytrauma. The aim of this investigation was to analyze all pediatric multiple trauma cases between 2018 and 2019 in the PED of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Hospital Kauno Klinikos (LSMU KK). Materials and methods (oral/poster only) A retrospective analysis from the electronic record data system was conducted including all polytrauma cases of children aged 0-18 years from 2018 to 2019 referred to LSMU KK PED. The polytrauma categorization covered codes T00-T14 from the ICD-10-AM. In total, we investigated 349 patient records by analyzing and comparing cases between 2018 and 2019, seasonality, types, locations, and demographics (age and gender). Results (oral/poster only) In 2018, 165 pediatric polytrauma cases were recorded, and in 2019 - 184 (52.7%). Regarding the location of the injury, in both times unspecified injuries 136 (39.0%) had the biggest number of cases. The most common polytrauma type among both genders, was superficial injuries, in 2018 (125; 75.8%) and 2019 (138; 75.0%). The arm traumas were chiefly in groups of 1-6 year-olds, in all other age groups unspecified injuries were the most frequent. However, in all groups of age, the main polytrauma type was the same - superficial injuries. Summer was the most often season for PED visits due to multiple trauma 132 (37.8%) but the biggest peak was seen in May, 56 (16.0%).Conclusions The most common polytrauma type among all groups of age was superficial injuries. The unspecified injuries (39.0%) were recorded as the most frequent location. However, in the group ages of 1-6y, arm injuries were the most often. A significant increase in the number of pediatric polytrauma was observed in the summer.