TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Penetrating head injuries in children due to BB and pellet guns: a poorly recognized public health risk
JO  - Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics.
A1  - Kumar, Ravi
A1  - Kumar, Ramesh
A1  - Mallory, Grant W.
A1  - Jacob, Jeffrey T.
A1  - Daniels, David J.
A1  - Wetjen, Nicholas M.
A1  - Foy, Andrew B.
A1  - O'Neill, Brent R.
A1  - Clarke, Michelle J.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECT Nonpowder guns, defined as spring- or gas-powered BB or pellet guns, can be dangerous weapons that are often marketed to children. In recent decades, advances in compressed-gas technology have led to a significant increase in the power and muzzle velocity of these weapons. The risk of intracranial injury in children due to nonpowder weapons is poorly documented. <br><br>METHODS A retrospective review was conducted at 3 institutions studying children 16 years or younger who had intracranial injuries secondary to nonpowder guns. <br><br>RESULTS The authors reviewed 14 cases of intracranial injury in children from 3 institutions. Eleven (79%) of the 14 children were injured by BB guns, while 3 (21%) were injured by pellet guns. In 10 (71%) children, the injury was accidental. There was 1 recognized assault, but there were no suicide attempts; in the remaining 3 patients, the intention was indeterminate. There were no mortalities among the patients in this series. Ten (71%) of the children required operative intervention, and 6 (43%) were left with permanent neurological injuries, including epilepsy, cognitive deficits, hydrocephalus, diplopia, visual field cut, and blindness. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS Nonpowder guns are weapons with the ability to penetrate a child's skull and brain. Awareness should be raised among parents, children, and policy makers as to the risk posed by these weapons.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1933-0707
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3171/2015.6.PEDS15148
ID  - ref1
ER  -