Jennifer J Freeman1, Marielena Bachier-Rodriguez1, Jessica Staszak2, Alexander Feliz3. 1. Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, 49 North Dunlap, Second Floor, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. 2. Department of General Surgery, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, 920 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38103, United States. 3. Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, 49 North Dunlap, Second Floor, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. Electronic address: afeliz@uthsc.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Non-powder guns (NPG) are viewed as toys for children by the general public. Literature on firearm injuries in the pediatric population is increasing, however there are still large gaps in the published literature regarding NPG. We intended to identify and compare the epidemiology, circumstances of injury and outcomes of children with NPG versus powder-gun injuries (GSW). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a 6-year retrospective analysis of children 0-14 years old treated for NPG and GSW injuries at our level one pediatric trauma center. Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's X2 were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. RESULTS: There were 43 NPG and 112 GSWs. Patients were predominantly male (36 children; 84%) NPG vs. 92 children; 82% GSW) with a median age in both groups of 11 years. Analysis of residential zip codes showed that 74% (32 children) NPG injuries and 85% (95 children) GSW lived in regions with higher poverty than the national level. Children with NPG injuries were more likely to be Caucasian (24 children; 56%) and to have suffered an unintentional injury (36 children; 84%), while children with GSW were African-American (80 children; 71%; p=0.0002) and victims of assault (50 children; 45%; p<0.0001). When compared with NPG, children with GSW had more severe injuries, longer hospital stays, and higher overall mortality. There were no significant differences in rate of emergent OR intervention and ED mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight two important findings. First, NPG injuries were accidental and thus preventable with improved legislation and public education. Second, health disparities related to gun violence among African-Americans are prevalent even in early childhood and prevention efforts should include this younger population.
INTRODUCTION: Non-powder guns (NPG) are viewed as toys for children by the general public. Literature on firearm injuries in the pediatric population is increasing, however there are still large gaps in the published literature regarding NPG. We intended to identify and compare the epidemiology, circumstances of injury and outcomes of children with NPG versus powder-gun injuries (GSW). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a 6-year retrospective analysis of children 0-14 years old treated for NPG and GSW injuries at our level one pediatric trauma center. Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's X2 were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. RESULTS: There were 43 NPG and 112 GSWs. Patients were predominantly male (36 children; 84%) NPG vs. 92 children; 82% GSW) with a median age in both groups of 11 years. Analysis of residential zip codes showed that 74% (32 children) NPG injuries and 85% (95 children) GSW lived in regions with higher poverty than the national level. Children with NPG injuries were more likely to be Caucasian (24 children; 56%) and to have suffered an unintentional injury (36 children; 84%), while children with GSW were African-American (80 children; 71%; p=0.0002) and victims of assault (50 children; 45%; p<0.0001). When compared with NPG, children with GSW had more severe injuries, longer hospital stays, and higher overall mortality. There were no significant differences in rate of emergent OR intervention and ED mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight two important findings. First, NPG injuries were accidental and thus preventable with improved legislation and public education. Second, health disparities related to gun violence among African-Americans are prevalent even in early childhood and prevention efforts should include this younger population.
Authors: Byron D Hughes; Claire B Cummins; Yong Shan; Hemalkumar B Mehta; Ravi S Radhakrishnan; Kanika A Bowen-Jallow Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2020-02-20 Impact factor: 2.545
Authors: Ruhee Shah; Alessandra Della Porta; Sherman Leung; Margaret Samuels-Kalow; Elizabeth M Schoenfeld; Lynne D Richardson; Michelle P Lin Journal: West J Emerg Med Date: 2021-10-27
Authors: Natasha Ruth Saunders; Charlotte Moore Hepburn; Anjie Huang; Claire de Oliveira; Rachel Strauss; Lisa Fiksenbaum; Paul Pageau; Ning Liu; David Gomez; Alison Macpherson Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-11-18 Impact factor: 2.692