Causes and Consequences of Childhood Physical Traumas: Retrospective Analysis of Forensic Cases

Abstract

Objective: Physical traumas are one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity in childhood. Permanent disabilities resulting from traumas constitute significant losses for the individual and society. Identifying the causes and severity of traumas are important in raising awareness and preventability. In our study by presenting the multicenter cases with forensic assessment at the end of the wound healing process, we aimed to determine the causes of traumas, traumatic lesions, trauma severity, and permanent damage, and offer solutions. Material and Methods: 1,418 pediatric trauma cases admitted to the Forensic Medicine Department of Atatürk University between the 1st of January 2016 and 31st December 2018 were analyzed in terms of age, gender, causes of trauma, traumatic lesion, the severity of the injury, and the status of permanent disability. The severity of trauma was determined by the Injury Severity Score and the status of permanent disability was determined according to the Special Needs Report for Children. Results: 77.2% (n=1,095) of physical trauma cases were male and 22.8% (n=323) were female. 86.6% (n=1,256) of the traumas were blunt, 8.3% (n=118) were penetrating and 3.1% (n=44) were due to the thermal injury. 70% (n=879) of blunt traumas were beating and 24% (n=307) were traffic accidents. It was found that major injuries, bone fractures, and life-threatening injuries in blunt traumas occur more frequently due to falls and home accidents mostly in infancy and playing age. Disability was determined in 2.1% (n=30) of physical trauma cases. It was found that permanent damages are the dysfunctions caused by extremity and peripheral nerve problems which occur most frequently due to traffic accidents (n=20). Conclusion: According to our findings, the most common causes of major injuries in childhood are falls and home accidents. Traffic accidents are the most common cause of acquired disability. By taking protective measures to ensure the safety of children’s living environments, physical traumas and the development of acquired disability can be prevented.