Investigation of children victims of road traffic injuries required intensive care

Abstract

Children are considered vulnerable road users (VRUs) in the literature, with high mortality and morbidity rates in accidents, resulting in various injuries such as head and neck injuries, fractures, tears, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study was conducted retrospectively among patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit between October 1, 2017, and January 1, 2022, in a Hospital in Bursa. Eighty-six children were admitted to the study. Of them, 74.4% were male and 25.6% female. The average age was 8.8±5.0 years. The accidents occurred predominantly in urban areas (67.4%), with 32.6% occurring in rural areas. Pedestrians were 68.6% of the victims. Most accidents happened on Sundays (22.1%) and weekdays (62.8%). The distribution of accidents by season showed that most accidents occurred in the fall (29.1%), followed by spring (26.7%), summer (25.6%), and winter (18.6%). The most common time for accidents was between 18:00 and 00:00 (59.3%), and preschool-age children were most involved (44.2%). The most frequent type of injury was multiple trauma (50%), followed by isolated cranial trauma (29.1%). Of 14.0% victims died, and two became permanent care patients. The findings provide valuable insights for developing policies to prevent accidents and reduce associated morbidity and mortality.