Citation

Demir F, Aydin K, Turan F, Yurtseven A, Erbil B, Gülalp B. Turk. Pediatr. Ars. 2013; 48(3): 235-240.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Logos)

DOI

10.4274/tpa.266

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

AIM: Forensic cases are primarily admitted in emergency services and examination, diagnosis and treatment is performed here. This study aimed to evaluate demographic and epidemiologic characteristics, reasons for presentation, admission time and hospitalization and mortality rates in pediatric forensic cases presented to an emergency department. Material and Method: Pediatric forensic cases below the age of 16 years who were admitted to the emergency department of a training research hospital within a 1-year period were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were evaluated in two groups as traumatic (traffic accidents, assault, occupational accident, sharp object injury, falling down from height, gunshot injuries) and non-traumatic (suicide attempt, carbon monoxide intoxication) admissions.

RESULTS: 1494 cases were included. The mean age was 8.8±4.37 years and 66% (n=986) of the cases were male. The majority of the cases (29.5%) were in the 7-10-year age group. The most common reason for presentation was traffic accident (76.4%), followed by falling down from height (12.7%) and assault (6.1%). The patients were mostly admitted in the evenings and summer months. 9.2% of the patients were hospitalized and 1.9% required hospitalization in the intensive care unit; the mortality rate was 0.4%.

CONCLUSIONS: Most forensic cases in childhood are preventable health problems. Identification of forensic case profiles of each region is needed to develop new strategies, take preventive measures and provide appropriate treatment approaches in emergency departments.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; Child abuse; child; female; infant; male; newborn; Traffic accident; forensic psychiatry; mortality; Emergency medicine; traffic accident; suicide attempt; hospitalization; article; major clinical study; gunshot injury; retrospective study; carbon monoxide intoxication; emergency ward; assault; falling; Pediatric forensic