To assess the fluctuations in the incidence of head injuries in paediatric patients in the medical emergency teams material

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Head injuries in children pose a serious challenge both in terms of the management and di- agnostics. Due to technological progress and thus the development of motorization, despite the decreasing overall injury rate, the incidence of high-energy injuries increases. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of intervention of emergency medical teams to paediatric patients due to head injuries. METHODS: The study was a retrospective study. The material consisted of medical interventions of medical rescue teams from the regions of Piaseczno and Pruszkow from the period 11.2016–10.2017. 422 medical emergency records were analyzed. RESULTS: Median age of study group was 7.7 years (IQR; 3–12) — females 7.6 years (IQR; 2–13) and males 7.9 years (IQR; 4–12). The injuries occurred most frequently in March (n = 43; 11.8%), and least frequently in February (n = 22; 5.2%). The above relation occurred regardless of gender. Injuries occur most frequently in spring (n = 132; 31.3%), and least frequently in summer (n=88; 20.8%; Tab. 1). In the afternoon an increase in the incidence of injuries was observed. Differences in the incidence of injuries in the group of males and females depending on the time of day were not significantly statistical (p = 0.206). Superficial head injury was the most common injury (n = 122; 28.9%) followed by open head wounds in both males and females. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent head injuries were superficial head injuries followed by open head inju- ries. Injuries occurred more often on weekdays, less frequently at weekends. In the afternoon an increase in the incidence of injuries was observed. Injuries occur most frequently in spring and least frequently in summer on a monthly basis they occurred most frequently in March, and least frequently in February re- gardless of gender.