Adolescent Trauma During the COVID Pandemic: Just Like Adults, Children, or Someone Else?

Abstract

COVID-19 stay-at-home (SAH) orders were impactful on adolescence, when social interactions affect development. This has the potential to change adolescent trauma. A post-hoc multicenter retrospective analysis of adolescent (13-17 years-old) trauma patients (ATPs) at 11 trauma centers was performed. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on injury date: historical control (CONTROL:3/19/2019-6/30/2019, before SAH (PRE:1/1/2020-3/18/2020), and after SAH (POST:3/19/2020-6/30/2020). The POST group was compared to both PRE and CONTROL groups in separate analyses. 726 ATPs were identified across the 3 time periods. POST had a similar penetrating trauma rate compared to both PRE (15.8% vs 13.8%, P = .56) and CONTROL (15.8% vs 14.5%, P = .69). POST also had a similar rate of suicide attempts compared to both PRE (1.2% vs 1.5%, P = .83) and CONTROL (1.2% vs 2.1%, P = .43). However, POST had a higher rate of drug positivity compared to CONTROL (28.6% vs 20.6%, P = .032), but was similar in all other comparisons of alcohol and drugs to PRE and POST periods (all P > .05). Hence ATPs were affected differently than adults and children, as they had a similar rate of penetrating trauma, suicide attempts, and alcohol positivity after SAH orders. However, they had increased drug positivity compared to the CONTROL, but not PRE group.

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Violent Injuries in Children

“…There were few significant differences in volume of violent injuries reported by authors in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to historical controls [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Sanford et al noted that intentional blunt injuries (defined by assaults, NAT, and self-harm injuries in the study) decreased at the start of the COVID-19 era (pre-pandemic mean 20.6 children [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.1-25.1] vs. post-pandemic mean 17 children, p=0.04) [ 20 ].…”

Surge in Pediatric Firearm Injuries Presenting to US Children’s Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Some early pandemic studies revealed a spike in firearm injuries, 2,3 whereas others found unchanged rates. 4,5 We evaluated contemporary trends in pediatric firearm injuries before and during the pandemic to determine whether sociodemographic risk factors were similar.…”

“…Some early pandemic studies revealed a spike in firearm injuries, 2,3 whereas others found unchanged rates. 4,5 We evaluated contemporary trends in pediatric firearm injuries before and during the pandemic to determine whether sociodemographic risk factors were similar.Methods | This retrospective cohort study used data from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), an administra-Table. Characteristics of Children With Firearm Injuries Before vs After the COVID-19 Pandemic Characteristic Children, No.…”

“…Firearm injuries are the leading cause of injury-related death for US children, and increased societal violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, including mass shooting events, has sparked renewed public attention toward this public health crisis. Some early pandemic studies revealed a spike in firearm injuries, whereas others found unchanged rates . We evaluated contemporary trends in pediatric firearm injuries before and during the pandemic to determine whether sociodemographic risk factors were similar.…”

Letter re: COVID-19’s Implications on Adolescent vs Adult Trauma

“…We read with great interest a report published by Ruhi-Williams et al 1 in which a study was conducted to determine adolescent trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to adults and children in the state of California. Ruhi-Williams and the authors provide great insight into the implications of the pandemic between 2019 and 2020 on adolescents, such as higher drug positivity and suicide attempts.…”