Paediatric Blunt Torso Trauma Injury mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children requiring hospitalisation at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2016, Vol 16, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Trauma is the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric/adolescent populations worldwide. Tis study aimed to describe trauma mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. Methods: Tis retrospective single-centre study involved all children ≤12 years old with blunt torso trauma admitted for paediatric surgical care at SQUH between January 2009 and December 2013. Medical records were analysed to collect demographic and clinical data. Results: A total of 70 children were admitted with blunt torso trauma during the study period, including 39 (55.7%) male patients. Te mean age was 5.19 ± 2.66 years. Of the cohort, 35 children (50.0%) received their injuries after having been hit by cars as pedestrians, while 19 (27.1%) were injured by falls, 12 (17.1%) during car accidents as passengers and four (5.7%) by falling heavy objects. According to computed tomography scans, thoracic injuries were most common (65.7%), followed by abdominal injuries (42.9%). Te most commonly involved solid organs were the liver (15.7%) and spleen (11.4%). Te majority of the patients were managed conservatively (92.9%) with a good outcome (74.3%). Te mortality rate was 7.1%. Most deaths were due to multisystem involvement. Conclusion: Among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to SQUH, the main mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents. As a result, parental education and enforcement of infant car seat/child seat belt laws are recommended. Conservative management was the most successful approach.
Authors and Affiliations
Khalid M. Bhatti| Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Kadhim M. Taqi| Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Ahmed Z. S. Al-Harthy| Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Rana S. Hamid| Departments of Radiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Zainab N. Al-Balushi| Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Dilip K. Sankhla| Departments of Radiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Hani A. Al-Qadhi| Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
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