Evaluating the Regional Differences in Pediatric Injury Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Creator(s)

Amelia T. Collings
Manzur Farazi
Kyle J. Van Arendonk
Mary E. Fallat
Peter C. Minneci
Thomas T. Sato
K Elizabeth Speck
Samir Gadepalli
Katherine J. Deans
Richard A. Falcone
David S. Foley
Jason D. Fraser, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Martin S. Keller
Meera Kotagal
Matthew P. Landman
Charles M. Leys
Troy Markel
Nathan Rubalcava
Shawn D. St Peter, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Katherine T. Flynn-O'Brien
Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2023

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.03.003; PMCID: PMC10033255

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Reports of pediatric injury patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic are conflicting and lack the granularity to explore differences across regions. We hypothesized there would be considerable variation in injury patterns across pediatric trauma centers in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective study evaluating patients("COVID" cohort) were compared to "Historical" controls from an averaged period of equivalent dates in 2016-2019. Differences in injury type, intent, and mechanism were explored at the site level.

RESULTS: 47,385 pediatric trauma patients were included. Overall trauma volume increased during the COVID cohort compared to the Historical (COVID 7068 patients versus Historical 5891 patients); however, some sites demonstrated a decrease in overall trauma of 25% while others had an increase of over 33%. Bicycle injuries increased at every site, with a range in percent change from 24% to 135% increase. Although the greatest net increase was due to blunt injuries, there was a greater relative increase in penetrating injuries at 7/9 sites, with a range in percent change from a 110% increase to a 69% decrease.

CONCLUSIONS: There was considerable discrepancy in pediatric injury patterns at the individual site level, perhaps suggesting a variable impact of the specific sociopolitical climate and pandemic policies of each catchment area. Investigation of the unique response of the community during times of stress at pediatric trauma centers is warranted to be better prepared for future environmental stressors.

Journal Title

The Journal of surgical research

Volume

289

First Page

61

Last Page

68

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Child; United States; Pandemics; Retrospective Studies; COVID-19; Wounds, Penetrating; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

Keywords

Blunt trauma; COVID-19; Injury prevention; Pediatric trauma; Penetrating injury

Recommended Citation

Collings AT, Farazi M, Van Arendonk KJ, et al. Evaluating the Regional Differences in Pediatric Injury Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Surg Res. 2023;289:61-68. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2023.03.003