Traumatic injuries among children and adolescents in Qatar: A hospital-based observational study

Abstract

Background: Traumatic injury remains one of the major leading causes for mortality and morbidity in children worldwide. The aim of this study is to describe an epidemiologic profile of pediatric and adolescent traumatic injuries in Qatar. Methods: A retrospective analysis for all pediatric and adolescent patients admitted with severe traumatic injury to the Section of Trauma at Hamad General Hospital between January 2011 - December 2011. Results: A total of 163 children were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 9.6±5.9 years. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on presentation to Emergency Department (ED) was 13.4±3.8 days. Injuries were more prevalent at ages (1-5 years) and (14-18 years). Fall and MVCs are the major MOI among children (35% for each). The mean initial ISS was 13.9± 6.6. The median length of stay (LOS) in hospital was 6 days ranged from 1 -60 days. The LOS was correlated respectively with ISS (r= 0.27, P < 0.001) , age (r=0.27, P < 0.001) , GCS/scene (r= −0.30, P <0.001), GCS/ED (r= −0.53, P <0.001) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) (r= −0.53, P <0.001) . No significant association was observed between ISS and gender, mechanism of injury or type trauma. Head and long bone injuries were the commonest sustained injuries in children (34% and 18%, respectively). Three children died, one has quadriplegia and none of our patients was reported to use safety measures. Conclusion: traumatic injuries are not uncommon and show 2 peaks among children in Qatar. However, none of the cases were reported to use safety measures. The importance of increasing public awareness toward safety measures and injury prevention Programme is warranted.