Patterns, mechanism of injury and outcome of pediatric trauma at a level 1 trauma centre: a descriptive retrospective analysis

BackgroundThere is a gap in knowledge on the epidemiology of pediatric trauma in the developing countries. We aimed to describe the injury pattern, mechanism of injury (MOI), and outcomes of pediatric trauma in a level 1 trauma centre in one of the Arab Middle Eastern countries.MethodsA retrospective analysis of pediatric injury data was conducted. All trauma patients (<18 years old) requiring hospitalization between 2012 and 2021 were included. Patients were categorized and compared based on the MOI, age-group and injury severity.ResultsA 3,058 pediatric patients (20% of the total trauma admissions) were included in the study. The incidence rate in 2020 was 86 cases per 100,000 pediatric population in Qatar. The majority were male (78%) and the mean age was 9.3 +/- 5.7 years. Nearly 40% had head injuries. The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8%. The median injury severity score (ISS) (interquartile range; IQR) was 9 (4-14) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was 15 (IQR 15-15). Almost 18% required Intensive Care admission. Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) were more frequent in 15-18 years old whereas <= 4 years group was mostly injured by falling objects. The case fatality rate was higher among females (5.0%), and in 15-18 years (4.6%) and <4 years (4.4%) group. Pedestrian injuries were more lethal among the MOI. One fifth had severe injury with a mean age of 11 +/- 6 and 9.5% had ISS of >= 25. Predictors of severe injury were age (10 years old and above) and RTI.ConclusionAlmost one-fifth of the trauma admissions at the level 1 trauma centre in Qatar is due to traumatic injuries among the pediatric population. Developing strategies that are based on understanding the age- and mechanism-specific patterns of traumatic injuries among the pediatric population remains crucial.

Automated summary

This study conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric trauma data in a level 1 trauma centre in one of the Arab Middle Eastern countries between 2012 and 2021, aiming to describe the injury pattern, mechanism of injury, and outcomes. The study found that the incidence rate of pediatric trauma in Qatar was 86 cases per 100,000 pediatric population in 2020. Male patients accounted for 78% and the mean age was 9.3 years. Head injuries were observed in nearly 40% of the patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8%. Conclusion: Developing strategies based on age and mechanism-specific patterns of traumatic injuries among the pediatric population is crucial.