A closer look at non-accidental trauma: Caregiver assault compared to non-caregiver assault

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of non-accidental trauma (NAT) patients compared to other trauma (OT) patients across the state of Florida. In addition, NAT and OT patients with a mechanism of injury of assault were further analyzed. MethodsA statewide database was reviewed from January 2010 to December 2014 for patients aged 0–18years who presented following trauma. Patients were sorted by admitting diagnosis into two groups: rule out NAT and all other diagnoses. Patients with a mechanism of assault were subanalyzed and outcomes were compared. ResultsThere were 46,557 patients included. NAT patients were younger, had more severe injuries and had a higher mortality rate compared to OT patients. Assault was the mechanism of injury in 95% of NAT patients. NAT assault patients were younger, required more intensive care unit (ICU) resources, and had a higher mortality rate compared to other assault patients. ConclusionNon-accidental trauma patients require more resources and have a higher mortality rate compared to accidental trauma patients, and these differences remain even when controlling for the mechanism of injury. Level of evidenceIII.