Head and neck trauma in hospitalized pediatric patients.

Abstract

The study goal was to determine the presentation of head and neck trauma (HNT) in hospitalized pediatric subjects. Study design and setting Retrospective review of 257 subjects admitted to a level I pediatric trauma center. The male/female ratio of the subjects was 2.5:1, with a median age of 9.3 years. Also, 35.0% of subjects had associated major non-HNT. HNT anatomic sites varied with age. The leading major HNT was facial/base of skull fractures (FBSF). Motor vehicle trauma was significant in subjects older than 3 years, and bite and falls were significant in subjects younger than 3 years. FBSF increased 3.7 times (P = 0.02) for subjects older than 10 years compared with subjects younger than 3 years. The most common major HNT was FBSF, with older age at higher risk. Associated major non-HNT is high. Mechanisms of injury and sites of HNT vary with age. This information may improve prevention counseling and aid preparation for the management of pediatric HNT.