Eimear Smith1,2, Susan Finn1,3, Patricia Fitzpatrick4. 1. National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dublin. 2. Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin. 3. Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Dublin. 4. UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science.
Abstract
Objective: To examine the epidemiology of pediatric traumatic (TSCI) and acquired nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) in Ireland. There are few studies reporting pediatric TSCI incidence and fewer of pediatric NTSCI incidence, although there are several case reports. As there is a single specialist rehabilitation facility for these children, complete population-level data can be obtained. Method: Retrospective review of prospectively gathered data in the Patient Administration System of the National Rehabilitation Hospital of patients age 15 years or younger at the time of SCI onset. Information was retrieved on gender, age, etiology, level of injury/AIS. Population denominator was census results from 1996, 2002, 2006, and 2011, rolled forward. Results: Since 2000, 22 children have sustained TSCI and 26 have sustained NTSCI. Median (IQR) age at TSCI onset was 6.3 (4.4) years, and at NTSCI onset it was 7.3 (8.1) years. Most common TSCI etiology was transportation (n = 10; 45.5%), followed by surgical complications (n = 8; 36.4%); most common injury type was complete paraplegia (n = 12; 54.5%) followed by incomplete paraplegia (n = 5; 22.7%). Most common NTSCI etiology was transverse myelitis (n = 11; 42.3%) followed by vascular (n = 5; 20%); most common injury type was incomplete paraplegia (n = 17; 65.4%) followed by incomplete tetraplegia (n = 6; 24%). Incidence of TSCI ranged from 0 to 3.1 per million per year; incidence of NTSCI ranged from 0 to 6.5 per million per year. Conclusion: Incidence of SCI in Ireland seems similar to or slightly lower than other developed countries. Injury patterns are also similar, considering variations in reporting methods.
Objective: To examine the epidemiology of pediatric traumatic (TSCI) and acquired nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) in Ireland. There are few studies reporting pediatric TSCI incidence and fewer of pediatric NTSCI incidence, although there are several case reports. As there is a single specialist rehabilitation facility for these children, complete population-level data can be obtained. Method: Retrospective review of prospectively gathered data in the Patient Administration System of the National Rehabilitation Hospital of patients age 15 years or younger at the time of SCI onset. Information was retrieved on gender, age, etiology, level of injury/AIS. Population denominator was census results from 1996, 2002, 2006, and 2011, rolled forward. Results: Since 2000, 22 children have sustained TSCI and 26 have sustained NTSCI. Median (IQR) age at TSCI onset was 6.3 (4.4) years, and at NTSCI onset it was 7.3 (8.1) years. Most common TSCI etiology was transportation (n = 10; 45.5%), followed by surgical complications (n = 8; 36.4%); most common injury type was complete paraplegia (n = 12; 54.5%) followed by incomplete paraplegia (n = 5; 22.7%). Most common NTSCI etiology was transverse myelitis (n = 11; 42.3%) followed by vascular (n = 5; 20%); most common injury type was incomplete paraplegia (n = 17; 65.4%) followed by incomplete tetraplegia (n = 6; 24%). Incidence of TSCI ranged from 0 to 3.1 per million per year; incidence of NTSCI ranged from 0 to 6.5 per million per year. Conclusion: Incidence of SCI in Ireland seems similar to or slightly lower than other developed countries. Injury patterns are also similar, considering variations in reporting methods.
Authors: Elena Bozzola; Mauro Bozzola; Andrea Magistrelli; Valeria Calcaterra; Daniela Larizza; Laura Lancella; Alberto Villani Journal: Infez Med Date: 2013-09
Authors: Shalini Selvarajah; Eric B Schneider; Daniel Becker; Cristina L Sadowsky; Adil H Haider; Edward R Hammond Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2014-08-12 Impact factor: 5.269