@article{ref1,
title="Paediatric blunt torso trauma: injury mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children requiring hospitalisation at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman",
journal="Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal",
year="2016",
author="Bhatti, Khalid M. and Taqi, Kadhim M. and Al-Harthy, Ahmed Z. S. and Hamid, Rana S. and Al-Balushi, Zainab N. and Sankhla, Dilip K. and Al-Qadhi, Hani A.",
volume="16",
number="2",
pages="e210-6",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Trauma is the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric/adolescent populations worldwide. This study aimed to describe trauma mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. <br><br>METHODS: This retrospective single-centre study involved all children ≤12 years old with blunt torso trauma admitted for paediatric surgical care at SQUH between January 2009 and December 2013. Medical records were analysed to collect demographic and clinical data. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 70 children were admitted with blunt torso trauma during the study period, including 39 (55.7%) male patients. The mean age was 5.19 ± 2.66 years. Of the cohort, 35 children (50.0%) received their injuries after having been hit by cars as pedestrians, while 19 (27.1%) were injured by falls, 12 (17.1%) during car accidents as passengers and four (5.7%) by falling heavy objects. According to computed tomography scans, thoracic injuries were most common (65.7%), followed by abdominal injuries (42.9%). The most commonly involved solid organs were the liver (15.7%) and spleen (11.4%). The majority of the patients were managed conservatively (92.9%) with a good outcome (74.3%). The mortality rate was 7.1%. Most deaths were due to multisystem involvement. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to SQUH, the main mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents. As a result, parental education and enforcement of infant car seat/child seat belt laws are recommended. Conservative management was the most successful approach.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2075-051X",
doi="10.18295/squmj.2016.16.02.012",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2016.16.02.012"
}