Citation

Hall JR, Reyes HM, Meller JL, Loeff DS, Dembek RG. J. Trauma 1995; 39(3): 487-491.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60612-9985, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7473913

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: It is our hypothesis that there has been a dramatic increase in penetrating injuries in children. The purpose of this study is to verify this "new" epidemic in children and to note some of its characteristics. METHODS: We performed a 7-year retrospective review of the trauma registry at our urban pediatric (< 16 years of age) trauma center (UPTC). RESULTS: The percentage of admissions due to penetrating injuries at our UPTC has gradually risen over the past 7 years primarily due to gunshot wounds. In 1992 and 1993, compared to 1987 and 1988, the incidence of penetrating injuries has increased from 20 to 36% in all children and from 45 to 66% in the 12-to-15-year-old age group. CONCLUSION: Injuries due to penetrating trauma have, indeed, increased to epidemic proportions.