Associated injuries and complications in pediatric pelvic fractures requiring hospitalization: A series of 315 cases

Abstract

Purpose: Pediatric pelvic fractures are uncommon. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of pediatric pelvic fractures requiring hospitalization and analyze their correlation with associated injuries and complications. Methods: Data from 315 pediatric pelvic fracture patients admitted to our hospital from January 2006 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Sex, age, modified Torode–Zieg classification, abbreviated injury scale score, injury severity score, mortality, and concomitant injuries were analyzed. Results: Of the 285 (90.5%) cases of combined injuries, most injuries occurred in the abdomen (64.8%) and lower extremities (47.6%), followed by the chest (45.4%) and head (34.6%). A total of 78 patients (24.8%) were transferred to the intensive care unit. In total, 94 patients (29.8%) had complications during hospitalization. There were differences based on injury mechanism ( p = 0.001), with the highest complication rate in the fall injury group (32 cases (46.4%)). Approximately 51.4% of patients received surgical treatment for problems that were not related to pelvic fractures. Among these, 30.2% necessitated surgical intervention on the lower limbs. Abdominal surgery was necessary in 19.0% of patients. Conclusions: Children who have pelvic fractures frequently require hospitalization due to the presence of severe injuries in other areas of their bodies. IIIB pelvic fractures frequently occur in conjunction with more severe abdominal injuries; therefore, the prompt management of cavity and organ injuries is of particular importance. Blood transfusion and injury severity score were associated risk factors for intensive care unit admission.