Characteristics of non-accidental injuries in children and adolescents in Asia: a cross-national, multicenter cohort study

Sci Rep. 2023 Apr 23;13(1):6602. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33471-x.

Abstract

Children and adolescents are vulnerable to non-accidental injury. Early identification and prevention rely on detailed epidemiological studies, which are limited in Asia. This retrospective study used the registry data of Pan-Asian Trauma Outcome Study (PATOS) from October 1, 2015 to December, 31, 2020. Pediatric patients (aged < 20 years) with non-accidental injuries were enrolled, which were divided by age into preschool (0-6 years), child (7-12 years), and adolescent (13-19 years) groups. Baseline characteristics, injury epidemiology, and excess mortality ratio-adjusted injury severity score (EMR-ISS) were collected. Major trauma was defined as an EMR-ISS score > 24. The study enrolled 451 patients with non-accidental injuries, accounting for 2.81% of pediatric trauma events presented to an emergency department in the PATOS registry. The overall mortality rate was 0.9%, similar to those in Western countries. Mortality rate was high in preschool children (8.7%, p = 0.017) than in other age groups. The sex-specific incidence was higher in boys (3.10% vs. 2.13%, p = 0.001). In adolescents, more events occurred on the street (25.9%), whereas home remained the most common locale in girls of all ages. In the multivariable regression analysis, abdominal and multiple injuries were risk factors for major trauma.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asia
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Male
  • Multiple Trauma*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Wounds and Injuries* / epidemiology