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. 2024 Nov 30;16(11):e74832.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74832. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Head and Spinal Injuries in Pediatrics: Descriptive Study over 10 Years in a Tertiary Hospital

Liqaa Raffee  1 , Dania Al Miqdad  2 , Khaled Alawneh  3 , Nour Negresh  4 , Rania Al Amaireh  5 , Ali Al Shatnawi  6 , Retaj Alawneh  1 , Hasan Alawneh  7
Affiliations

Head and Spinal Injuries in Pediatrics: Descriptive Study over 10 Years in a Tertiary Hospital

Liqaa Raffee et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Objectives: Pediatric head and spinal traumas are challenging for healthcare professionals due to their potential for severe consequences. Understanding optimal management methods is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Head and spinal injuries are common in children, with falls and motor vehicle collisions as the leading causes. Common clinical features include altered mental status, vomiting, and neurological deficits. Primary injuries may involve the scalp, skull, brain, and spinal cord. Severity is classified using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).

Methods: This study included pediatric patients (<18 years) presenting to the emergency department with traumatic head or spinal injuries. Data collection included patients' medical history, demographic details, trauma mechanisms, clinical presentations, treatment modalities, and laboratory findings.

Results: A total of 303 patients were analyzed, with male patients accounting for 214 (70.6%). Road traffic accidents (RTA) at 147 (48.5%) and falls at 139 (45.9%) were the most common traumas. Blunt injuries predominated, accounting for 292 cases (96.4%). The head was frequently involved 253 (83.5%). Observation was the most common treatment, used in 213 cases (70.3%), followed by intubation in 44 cases (14.5%). The mean GCS was 10.7. Most patients improved during hospitalization which stood at 272 (89.8%), with a mean length of stay of 9.02 days. Spinal trauma cases (14) showed male predominance at 12 (85.7%) and falls were the most common cause at 7 (50%). Conservative management was prevalent at 11 (78.6%), and most cases achieved survival at 13 (92.9%).

Conclusions: Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to reduce mortality and morbidity in pediatric head and spinal injuries. Accurate evaluation of injury type, location, and mechanism is crucial for effective treatment. This study highlights the importance of optimal management strategies and emphasizes the need for further research to explore factors affecting mortality and morbidity. Limitations include the small number of spinal injury cases and regional generalization.

Keywords: management; morbidity; mortality; pediatric head trauma; pediatric spinal injuries.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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