L Geerdts1, G Ellsässer, S Führer, T Erler. 1. Kinderklinik, Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus gGmbH, Thiemstr. 111, 03048 Cottbus. l.geerdts@ctk.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During childhood injuries are one of the most common reasons for a consultation, second only to infectious diseases. Not as rare as aspected these injuries are caused by maltreatment. The aim of this study is to show the frequency of non-accidental injuries (NAI) in the patient group from a pediatric hospital in East Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a 12-month period all cases of injured children who needed to be hospitalized for treatment were registered. In a computer based questionnaire various parameters, such as age, sex, social status, and accident details were documented. RESULTS: A total of 573 injured children and adolescents needed inpatient treatment. In 86.7% of the cases injuries resulted from an accident. In 8.6% of all cases a connection to violence could be found mostly in the form of head and soft tissue injuries. CONCLUSION: The findings show the importance of a detailed and specific anamnesis and physical exploration of children with trauma. Recognition of maltreated children does not only apply to pediatricians, but also to physicians of several specializations.
BACKGROUND: During childhood injuries are one of the most common reasons for a consultation, second only to infectious diseases. Not as rare as aspected these injuries are caused by maltreatment. The aim of this study is to show the frequency of non-accidental injuries (NAI) in the patient group from a pediatric hospital in East Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a 12-month period all cases of injured children who needed to be hospitalized for treatment were registered. In a computer based questionnaire various parameters, such as age, sex, social status, and accident details were documented. RESULTS: A total of 573 injured children and adolescents needed inpatient treatment. In 86.7% of the cases injuries resulted from an accident. In 8.6% of all cases a connection to violence could be found mostly in the form of head and soft tissue injuries. CONCLUSION: The findings show the importance of a detailed and specific anamnesis and physical exploration of children with trauma. Recognition of maltreated children does not only apply to pediatricians, but also to physicians of several specializations.
Authors: L Ewing-Cobbs; L Kramer; M Prasad; D N Canales; P T Louis; J M Fletcher; H Vollero; S H Landry; K Cheung Journal: Pediatrics Date: 1998-08 Impact factor: 7.124