Characteristics and outcomes of paediatric patients admitted to a Danish level-1 trauma centre.

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to expand the very limited data on Scandinavian paediatric poly-trauma patients by charactering patients from this population admitted to a Danish level-1 trauma centre.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients 15 years or younger who were admitted to the trauma centre at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark from January 2000 to May 2014. Injury severity was calculated using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to determine significant differences between sexes.

RESULTS: A total of 880 children (499 boys and 391 girls) were included. No significant sex-related differences were observed in the numbers admitted during the study period, age at admission or severity of injuries. Overall, 30% of the paediatric patients were admitted in the afternoon (3-6 p.m.). The crude death rate was 2.7% of all admissions. Traffic accidents accounted for 48% of all admissions and two-thirds of all deaths. All non-survivors received ISSs of 16 or higher, and 20% of deaths in this group and 42% of overall deaths occurred within the first 24 hours.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that in Denmark, children admitted to a trauma centre are most likely to have been injured in traffic accidents and/or in the afternoon. Deaths were few and limited to the severely injured children; many survived despite severe injuries.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.