Citation

Choi PM, Hong C, Bansal S, Lumba-Brown A, Fitzpatrick CM, Keller MS. J. Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2015; 80(1): 64-69.

Affiliation

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, One Children's Place, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110 (kellerm@wudosis.wustl.edu) 2. Department of General Surgery, New York University, 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016 (Charles.Hong@nyumc.org) 3. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, 1465 South Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO 63104 (bansals@slu.edu; cfitzpa4@slu.edu) 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Saint Louis Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Place, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110 (Lumba_A@kids.wustl.edu).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0000000000000893

PMID

26491805

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Firearm related injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. To determine current trends and assess avenues for future interventions, we examined the epidemiology and outcome of pediatric firearm injuries managed at our region's two major pediatric trauma centers.

METHODS: Following IRB approval, we conducted a 5-year retrospective review of all pediatric firearm victims, aged ≤16 years, treated at either of the region's two Level-1 pediatric trauma centers; St. Louis Children's Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

RESULTS: There were 398 children treated over a 5-year period (2008-2013) for firearm related. Of these children, 314 were black (78.9%). Overall, there were 20 mortalities (5%). Although most patients were between 14-16 years of age (67.6%), younger victims had a greater morbidity and mortality. The majority of injuries were categorized as assault/intentional (65%) and occurred between 6pm and midnight, outside the curfew hours enforced by the city. Despite a regional decrease in the overall incidence of firearm injuries during the study period, the rate of accidental victims per year remained stable. Most accidental shootings occurred in the home (74.2%) and were self-inflicted (37.9%) or caused by a person known to the victim (40.4%).

CONCLUSION: Despite a relative decrease in intentional firearm related injuries, a constant rate of accidental shootings suggest an area for further intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4, prognostic and epidemiological.

Language: en