Evaluation of the Management of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Pediatric Patients in Ain Shams University Hospital: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

ediatric trauma remains the most common cause of morbidity and mortality. Covid 19 pandemic period had its impact on all non-covid related conditions including trauma where changes occurred in the rate of admissions and in the overall management. However, it did not negatively impact the quality of trauma care. 107 pediatric admitted patients were included in this study. Of all cases, 13% were managed during the peak of the pandemic, whereas 87% were reported after the recession of the wave. The male-to-female ratio was 1.7:1 (63% and 37%, respectively). The age range was from 5 months to 14 years with a median age of 6 years. The mortality rate was 2.8%. Mechanism of injury were reported as follows: falls 49.5%, AVP 28%, crush injury in the torso 10.2% and MVA 8.4%. As children are more sensitive to radiation, pediatric centers including the study center have adopted protocols with the goals of reducing radiation exposure. The rate of triphasic abdominal CT in the study was 62.5%, whereas, after implementing the guidelines, the rate of triphasic abdominal CT was 72.9% without statistical difference. non-operative management (NOM) of solid organ injury (SOI) in children due to blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) has become standard of care in children’s hospitals