Citation

Walker N, Russell RJ, Hodgetts TJ. J. R. Army Med. Corps 2010; 156(3): 150-153.

Affiliation

Academic Department of Military Emergency Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, UK Royal Army Medical Corps)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20919614

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is a leading cause of death in children. Life support courses have been developed to reduce the mortality and morbidity of children suffering trauma; differences in anatomy and physiology may produce different injury patterns to adults when children are exposed to trauma, challenging the care providers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all paediatric patients transported by the helicopter-borne MERT between 01 May 2006 and 31 December 2007 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. RESULTS: 78 children were brought in over the study period by the MERT team representing 7.3% of MERT casualties and 2.2% of the total seen in the Emergency Department. Breakdown by demographics, triage category, mechanism of injury, and treatment is given. CONCLUSION: A significant number of paediatric patients are treated by the deployed pre-hospital team. All military pre-hospital care providers should gain training and experience in the care of the seriously injured child prior to deployment.

Language: en