@article{ref1,
title="Risk factors for recurrent injuries in victims of suspected non-accidental trauma: a retrospective cohort study",
journal="BMC pediatrics",
year="2014",
author="Deans, Katherine J. and Thackeray, Jonathan and Groner, Jonathan I. and Cooper, Jennifer N. and Minneci, Peter C.",
volume="14",
number="",
pages="217-217",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Many children who are victims of non-accidental trauma (NAT) may be repeatedly evaluated for injuries related to maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for repeated injuries in children with suspected NAT. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using claims data from a pediatric Medicaid accountable care organization. Children with birth claims and at least one non-birth related claim indicating a diagnosis of NAT or skeletal survey in 2007-2011 were included. Recurrent events were defined as independent episodes of care involving an urgent/emergent care setting that included a diagnosis code specific for child abuse, a CPT code for a skeletal survey, or a diagnosis code for an injury suspicious for abuse. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine risk factors for recurrent events. <br><br>RESULTS: Of the 1,361 children with suspected NAT, a recurrent NAT event occurred in 26% within 1 year and 40% within 2 years of their initial event. Independent risk factors for a recurrent NAT event included a rural residence, age < 30 months old, having only 1 or 2 initially detected injuries, and having a dislocation, open wound, or superficial injury at the previous event (p <= 0.01 for all). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Over 25% of children who experienced a suspected NAT event had a recurrent episode within one year. These children were younger and more likely to present with &quot;minor&quot; injuries at their previous event.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-2431",
doi="10.1186/1471-2431-14-217",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-217"
}