Head injuries following television-related accidents in the pediatric population

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Ross Befeler ◽  
David J. Daniels ◽  
Susan A. Helms ◽  
Paul Klimo ◽  
Frederick Boop

Object Current data indicate the rate of head injuries in children caused by falling televisions is increasing. The authors describe these injuries and the cost incurred by them. Methods In a single-institution retrospective review, all children treated for a television-related injury at LeBonheur Children's Hospital, a Level I pediatric trauma center, between 2009 and 2013 were identified through the institution's trauma registry. The type, mechanism, and severity of cranial injuries, surgical interventions, outcome, and costs were examined. Results Twenty-six patients were treated for a television-related injury during the study period. Most injuries (22 cases, 85%) occurred in children aged 2–4 years (mean age 3.3 years), and 19 (73%) of the 26 patients were male. Head injuries occurred in 20 patients (77%); these injuries ranged from concussion to skull fractures and subdural, subarachnoid, and intraparenchymal hemorrhages. The average Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission was 12 (range 7–15), and 3 patients (12%) had neurological deficits. Surgical intervention was required in 5 cases (19%). The majority of patients made a full recovery. There were no deaths. The total cost for television-related injuries was $1.4 million, with an average cost of $53,893 per accident. Conclusions A high occurrence of head injuries was seen following television-related accidents in young children. This injury is ideal for a public education campaign targeting parents, health care workers, and television manufacturers.

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Dusza ◽  
Michał Matysiak

In this article we present current investigation on primary immune thrombocytopenia in children. There are described pathomorphology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. We also present current data from literature about genetic tests and latest data on treating options in children. Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is one of the most frequent hematological disorders in pediatric population. Although the majority of children have a self-limited and short duration of the disease. However, approximately 20-30% of those patients can develop chronic ITP, which can cause significant complications and higher mortality and reduced quality of life. Especially regarding to long-term immunosupression or surgical interventions, such like splenectomy and restrictions on daily activities to avoid trauma. Over the past decades a lot of informations has been reported about pathogenic features of ITP. Nowdays, we know that it is not only caused by increased platet destruction and decreased platet production, but also complex, multifactorial immune dysregulation, like loss of immune tolerance and generation of platelet autoantibodies. In this article we present current investigation on ITP including clinical symptoms, diagnosis, pathomorphology and latests options on treatment in children. We also present current data about genetic biomarker, such as Vanin-1 (VNN-1) which has been suggested as one of predictors of chronic disease and potentially can offer early prognosis estimation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric M. Groh ◽  
Paul L. Feingold ◽  
Barry Hashimoto ◽  
Lucas A. McDuffie ◽  
Troy A. Markel

Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. However, temporal variations of trauma have not been well characterized and may have implications for appropriate allocation of hospital resources. Data from patients evaluated at an ACS-verified Level I pediatric trauma center between 2011 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Date and time of injury, type of injury (blunt vs penetrating), and postemergency department disposition were reviewed. To assess temporal trends, heatmaps were constructed and a mixed poisson regression model was used to assess statistical significance. Pediatric trauma from blunt and penetrating injuries occurred at significantly higher rates between the hours of 1800 and 0100, on weekends compared with weekdays, and from May to August compared with November to February. These data provide useful information for hospital resource utilization. The emergency department, operating room, and intensive care unit should be prepared for increased trauma-related volume between May and August, weekends, and evening hours by appropriately increasing staff volume and resource availability.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000270
Author(s):  
Nikolaos K Maliachovas ◽  
Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler ◽  
Thomas C Sauter ◽  
Beat Lehmann ◽  
Gert Krummrey ◽  
...  

BackgroundThis article addresses typical injury patterns related to the traditional Swiss folk wrestling, ‘Schwingen’. This is a fight between two competitors with its own rules, grips and throws. A variety of injuries have been occasionally reported. The aim of this study was to characterise all cases of Schwingen injuries treated in the University Hospital of Bern from January 2006 to July 2016.MethodsTo assess the frequency, type and outcome of Schwingen injuries, database search was performed of all inpatient and outpatient cases related to Schwingen that were admitted to Bern University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2016.ResultsA total of 32 such patients could be identified. Apart from a single woman, all patients were male. 31 of the 32 players were Swiss. One patient was admitted to the intermediate care unit, eight patients underwent surgery, two were hospitalised for further treatment and two were given a plaster. 17 other patients were given medications such as painkillers. One was dismissed without further treatment and another one left the hospital on his own. Typical injury patterns varied from simple lesions to distortions and fractures as well as head injuries and other neurological complications.ConclusionThe majority of injuries caused by Schwingen are not life threatening. Nevertheless, there is always the potential of head injuries and neurological deficits. Apart from the economic loss due to treatment costs and sick leave, these injuries can be disabling for life. It should therefore be obligatory for all players to evaluate preventive measures.


2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary D. Brantley ◽  
Hua Lu ◽  
Wanda D. Barfield ◽  
James B. Holt ◽  
Alcia Williams

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective is to describe by geographic proximity the extent to which the US pediatric population (aged 0-17 years) has access to pediatric and other specialized critical care facilities, and to highlight regional differences in population and critical resource distribution for preparedness planning and utilization during a mass public health disaster.Methods: The analysis focused on pediatric hospitals and pediatric and general medical/surgical hospitals with specialized pediatric critical care capabilities, including pediatric intensive care units (PICU), pediatric cardiac ICUs (PCICU), level I and II trauma and pediatric trauma centers, and general and pediatric burn centers. The proximity analysis uses a geographic information system overlay function: spatial buffers or zones of a defined radius are superimposed on a dasymetric map of the pediatric population. By comparing the population living within the zones to the total population, the proportion of children with access to each type of specialized unit can be estimated. The project was conducted in three steps: preparation of the geospatial layer of the pediatric population using dasymetric mapping methods; preparation of the geospatial layer for each resource zone including the identification, verification, and location of hospital facilities with the target resources; and proximity analysis of the pediatric population within these zones.Results: Nationally, 63.7% of the pediatric population lives within 50 miles of a pediatric hospital; 81.5% lives within 50 miles of a hospital with a PICU; 76.1% lives within 50 miles of a hospital with a PCICU; 80.2% lives within 50 miles of a level I or II trauma center; and 70.8% lives within 50 miles of a burn center. However, state-specific proportions vary from less than 10% to virtually 100%. Restricting the burn and trauma centers to pediatric units only decreases the national proportion to 26.3% for pediatric burn centers and 53.1% for pediatric trauma centers.Conclusions: This geospatial analysis describes the current state of pediatric critical care hospital resources and provides a visual and analytic overview of existing gaps in local pediatric hospital coverage. It also highlights the use of dasymetric mapping as a tool for public health preparedness planning.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:117–125)


2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1006-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Crockett ◽  
Stanislaw P. Stawicki ◽  
Yalaunda M. Thomas ◽  
Amy M. Jarvis ◽  
Cecily F. Wang ◽  
...  

Although the prevailing stereotype is that most hunting injuries are gunshot wounds inflicted by intoxicated hunting buddies, our experience led us to hypothesize that falls comprise a significant proportion of hunting related injuries. Trauma databases of two Level I trauma centers in central Ohio were queried for all hunting related injuries during a 10-year period. One hundred and thirty patients were identified (90% male, mean age 41.0 years, range 17-76). Fifty per cent of injuries resulted from falls, whereas gunshot wounds accounted for 29 per cent. Most hunters were hunting deer and 92 per cent of falls were from tree stands. Alcohol was involved in only 2.3 per cent, and drugs of abuse in 4.6 per cent. Of gunshots, 58 per cent were self-inflicted, and 42 per cent were shot by another hunter. Tree stand falls were highly morbid, with 59 per cent of fall victims suffering spinal fractures, 47 per cent lower extremity fractures, 18 per cent upper extremity fractures, and 18 per cent closed head injuries. Surgery was required for 81 per cent of fall-related injuries, and 8.2 per cent of fall victims had permanent neurological deficits. In contrast to prevailing beliefs, in our geographic area tree-stand falls are the most common mechanism of hunting related injury requiring admission to a Level 1 trauma center.


2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Tuggle ◽  
M. Ann Kuhn ◽  
Susan K. Jones ◽  
Jennifer J. Garza ◽  
Sean Skinner

Hyperglycemia has been associated with poor outcome in children with head injuries and burns. However, there has not been a correlation noted between hyperglycemia and infections in severely injured children. The trauma registry of a Level I trauma center was queried for injured children <13 years admitted between July 1, 1999 and August 31, 2003. The records of severely injured children [Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15] were examined for survival, age, weight, ISS, infection, length of stay (LOS), and maximum glucose levels within the first 24 hours of injury (D1G). Statistical analysis was performed using a t test, Fisher's exact test, a Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test, or Kendall's Tau where appropriate. Eight hundred and eighty eight children under 13 years of age were admitted. One hundred and nine had an ISS > 15, and 57 survived to discharge with measured D1G. Patients excluded were those who died in less than 72 hours or had an LOS less than 72 hours. The survivors were divided into high glucose (≥130 mg/dL; n = 48) and normal glucose (<130 mg/dL; n = 9). There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, weight, incidence of head injury, and ISS. An elevated D1G correlated with an increased risk of infection (P = 0.05) and an increased LOS (P = 0.01). These data suggest that severely injured children are often hyperglycemic in the first 24 hours after injury. Hyperglycemia in this study population correlated with an increased incidence of infection and increased length of stay. This suggests that strict control of hyperglycemia in injured children may be beneficial.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. e000304
Author(s):  
Joonas Kuorikoski ◽  
Ilari Kuitunen ◽  
Mikko Uimonen ◽  
Ville M Mattila ◽  
Ville Ponkilainen

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has reduced pediatric emergency department (ED) visits and surgeries. This study evaluates the incidence of pediatric trauma ED visits and surgeries in Finland during the first and second waves of the pandemic.MethodsThree large Finnish hospitals, covering one-sixth of the Finnish pediatric population, participated. Data on all ED visits and trauma surgeries between January 2017 and December 2020 were collected from hospital discharge registers. Monthly incidences with 95% CI were calculated per 100 000 person-months by Poisson exact method and compared by incidence rate ratio (IRR).ResultsDuring the lockdown the incidence of head injuries (IRR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.87), sprains (IRR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.46), and fractures (IRR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.51) decreased in the 13–17 years age group. In the 4–12 years age group a 55% decrease (IRR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.96) in head injuries was observed. During the period of regional restrictions a subtle decrease in head injuries was seen in the 13–17 years age group (IRR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.78). During the lockdown in March 2020 the incidence of fractures decreased in the oldest age group (13–17 years) (IRR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.85), while a rebound in incidence was seen at the end of the lockdown period in June.ConclusionThe nationwide lockdown and the cancellation of sports and other hobbies markedly decreased the injuries among children aged 13–17 years, while the decrease was lower among children aged 4–12 years. Cancellation of sports and hobbies did not affect patients under 4 years of age.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CGM.S16817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Hameed ◽  
Jennifer J. Brady ◽  
Paul Dowling ◽  
Martin Clynes ◽  
Peter O'Gorman

Myeloma bone disease (MBD) is a devastating complication of multiple myeloma (MM). More than 80% of MM patients suffer from destructive bony lesions, leading to pain, fractures, mobility issues, and neurological deficits. MBD is not only a main cause of disability and morbidity in MM patients but also increases the cost of management. Bone destruction and lack of bone formation are main factors in the development of MBD. Some novel factors are found to be involved in the pathogenesis of MBD, eg, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) system (RANKL/OPG), Wingless (Wnt), dickkopf-1 (Wnt/DKK1) pathway. The addition of novel agents in the treatment of MM, use of bisphosphonates and other supportive modalities such as radiotherapy, vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty, and surgical interventions, all have significant roles in the treatment of MBD. This review provides an overview on the pathophysiology and management of MBD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Daniels ◽  
Michelle J. Clarke ◽  
Ross Puffer ◽  
T. David Luo ◽  
Amy L. McIntosh ◽  
...  

OBJECT Off-road motorcycling is a very popular sport practiced by countless people worldwide. Despite its popularity, not much has been published on the severity and distribution of central nervous system–related injuries associated with this activity in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to confirm, characterize, and document the rate of head and spine injuries associated with off-road motorcycling in this population. METHODS All patients aged 18 years or less who were treated for a motorbike injury at the authors' institution (a Level 1 regional trauma center) between 2000 and 2007 were identified through in-house surgical and trauma registries. Type, mechanism, and severity of CNS-related injuries were assessed, including: incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), loss of consciousness (LOC), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, head CT findings, neurological deficits, spinal fractures, cervical strain, and use of protective gear, including helmets. RESULTS During the 8-year period of study, 298 accidents were evaluated in 248 patients. The patients' mean age at the time of injury was 14.2 ± 2.7 years. Head injury or TBI was identified in 60 (20.1%) of 298 cases (involving 58 of 248 patients). Fifty-seven cases were associated with LOC, and abnormalities were identified on head CT in 10 patients; these abnormalities included skull fractures and epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, and intraparenchymal hemorrhages. The GCS score was abnormal in 11 cases and ranged from 3 to 15, with an overall mean of 14.5. No patients required cranial surgery. Helmet use was confirmed in 43 (71.6%) of the cases involving TBI. Spine fractures were identified in 13 patients (4.3%) and 5 required surgical fixation for their injury. CONCLUSIONS The authors found a high occurrence of head injuries following pediatric off-road motorcycle riding or motocross accidents despite the use of helmets. Additionally, this study severely underestimates the rate of mild TBIs in this patient population. Our data indicate that motocross is a high-risk sport despite the use of protective gear. Riders and parents should be counseled accordingly about the risks prior to participation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-97
Author(s):  
David Dornbos ◽  
Christy Monson ◽  
Andrew Look ◽  
Kristin Huntoon ◽  
Luke G. F. Smith ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEWhile the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) has been effective in describing severity in traumatic brain injury (TBI), there is no current method for communicating the possible need for surgical intervention. This study utilizes a recently developed scoring system, the Surgical Intervention for Traumatic Injury (SITI) scale, which was developed to efficiently communicate the potential need for surgical decompression in adult patients with TBI. The objective of this study was to apply the SITI scale to a pediatric population to provide a tool to increase communication of possible surgical urgency.METHODSThe SITI scale uses both radiographic and clinical findings, including the GCS score on presentation, pupillary examination, and CT findings. To examine the scale in pediatric TBI, a neurotrauma database at a level 1 pediatric trauma center was retrospectively evaluated, and the SITI score for all patients with an admission diagnosis of TBI between 2010 and 2015 was calculated. The primary endpoint was operative intervention, defined as a craniotomy or craniectomy for decompression, performed within the first 24 hours of admission.RESULTSA total of 1524 patients met inclusion criteria for the study during the 5-year span: 1469 (96.4%) were managed nonoperatively and 55 (3.6%) patients underwent emergent operative intervention. The mean SITI score was 4.98 ± 0.31 for patients undergoing surgical intervention and 0.41 ± 0.02 for patients treated nonoperatively (p < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to examine the diagnostic accuracy of the SITI scale in this pediatric population and was found to be 0.98. Further evaluation of patients presenting with moderate to severe TBI revealed a mean SITI score of 5.51 ± 0.31 in 40 (15.3%) operative patients and 1.55 ± 0.02 in 221 (84.7%) nonoperative patients, with an AUROC curve of 0.95.CONCLUSIONSThe SITI scale was designed to be a simple, objective communication tool regarding the potential need for surgical decompression after TBI. Application of this scale to a pediatric population reveals that the score correlated with the perceived need for emergent surgical intervention, further suggesting its potential utility in clinical practice.


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