@article{ref1,
title="Pediatric injury during conflict and prolonged insecurity in Iraq from 2003-2014",
journal="Surgery",
year="2016",
author="Carlson, Lucas C. and Lafta, Riyadh and Al-Shatari, Sahar and Stewart, Barclay T. and Burnham, Gilbert and Kushner, Adam L.",
volume="160",
number="2",
pages="493-500",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Injury disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, and in Iraq, this risk has been compounded by conflict and insecurity since the Coalition invasion in 2003. Children in such settings are particularly vulnerable; yet, the epidemiology of pediatric injury during conflict has not been previously described. This study aimed to characterize the pattern and outcomes of pediatric injury in Baghdad, Iraq from 2003-2014. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a cluster-randomized, cross-sectional, community-based survey in Baghdad in 2014 to determine the epidemiology and impact of injuries since 2003. This study details the injury patterns and outcomes among children (ie, <18 years of age) as well as care sought and provided. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 900 households, which represented 5,148 persons, were surveyed. There were 152 pediatric injuries from 2003-2014 (28% of all injuries). The incidence of childhood injury during the study period was 6.5 per 1,000 life years. The most common cause of injury was fall (52 injuries; 34% of pediatric injuries) followed by road traffic crash (32; 22%). Fifteen percent of pediatric injuries were directly related to conflict (22 injuries). There were 10 reported deaths (7% of pediatric injuries). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Although falls and road traffic crashes were the most common causes of childhood injury, conflict was directly responsible for 1 in 6 injuries. The number of pediatric injuries that resulted in death far exceeded that of low- and middle-income countries unaffected by conflict. These findings reflect the importance of pediatric injury prevention, protection of vulnerable populations, and essential trauma care during conflict.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0039-6060",
doi="10.1016/j.surg.2016.03.022",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2016.03.022"
}