| Common pediatric traumatic injuries may have | | | | to run x-rays, laboratory work, CT scans, and other |
| different causes including: motor vehicle accidents, | | | | standard tests. |
| falls, or blunt force from having something fall on the | | | | Some children's hospitals have separate units for |
| person. Children may have various types of injuries | | | | children who have had pediatric trauma. These units |
| from the "crush" injuries that happens when | | | | are focused just on care for traumatic injuries and |
| something falls on them -- blunt trauma, piercing | | | | children who are critically ill. Staff and physicians in |
| trauma, or broken bones. | | | | these special units understand how traumas affect |
| Motor Vehicle Accidents | | | | children, and what the special needs are for children |
| Vehicular accidents are one of the largest causes of | | | | as well as families. |
| pediatric trauma cases. This type of injury can | | | | The ages treated by a pediatric trauma center may |
| happen if your child is not wearing a seat belt, is not | | | | differ from center to center. Some trauma centers |
| in a safety seat, or is otherwise improperly | | | | and hospitals care for children through age 18, while |
| restrained. This is also possible from a vehicular | | | | others care for children up through 13 years or age. |
| accident if he or she is hit by another vehicle. Injuries | | | | All children are treated regardless of their ability to |
| from a vehicular accident can be relatively minor - | | | | pay. Various types of injuries are treated at these |
| such as a broken bone or bruising - or can be very | | | | special centers. These injuries include orthopedic |
| severe, such as brain trauma or multi system trauma | | | | (involving your child's bones), ophthalmology (eyes), |
| (affects more than one of your child's organ | | | | urology (urinary), neurosurgery (brain and spine). |
| systems). | | | | You may hear medical providers talk about your |
| The best way to prevent your child from being | | | | child's pediatric trauma score. This score is a national |
| injured in a vehicular accident is to make sure that | | | | model that is used to determine how severe a child's |
| they are always protected in the vehicle. They should | | | | injuries may be. The pediatric trauma score is ranked |
| always be wearing a seat belt or the appropriate | | | | from 0 to 12. This score may change based on the |
| restraint device. Large and heavy items should never | | | | child's improving or deteriorating condition. Providers |
| be kept in the open space between the rear window | | | | will use six different areas to determine your child's |
| and backseat that could injure someone if a sudden | | | | score. Generally, the lower the score, the less chance |
| stop took place. | | | | of survival. If the child's score is less than the closest |
| What to Expect at the Hospital | | | | general hospital's cut off number, they may be |
| It's going to be very busy and possibly frightening for | | | | transferred to a special pediatric trauma center. |
| all involved if your child is brought to a hospital after | | | | Be sure to ask the physicians and staff questions if |
| a traumatic accident. Your child may have to be | | | | you are concerned about the care your child is |
| restrained on a bed so that they can't hurt | | | | receiving, or if you have questions about that care. |
| themselves with neck support, and they may be | | | | The staff understands that this is a difficult time for |
| hooked up to several standard intravenous tubes and | | | | you and your family, and will try to answer all of your |
| life sign monitors. Physicians and staff will likely want | | | | questions. |