Guns, scalpels, and sutures: The cost of gunshot wounds in children and adolescents

Multi-center Colorado study of 308 pediatric firearm injuries (2008-2018) reveals 11% mortality, 52% requiring major surgery, and $26 million total care costs. Survivors face high readmission rates and psychiatric sequelae, with only 14% receiving mental health follow-up, highlighting need for comprehensive injury prevention and post-discharge care strategies.