Twenty years of pediatric gunshot wounds in our community: Have we made a difference?
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Oct 2018 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Twenty-year retrospective analysis of 898 pediatric gunshot wound cases at a Level 1 trauma center reveals persistent clustering in lower socioeconomic areas, with 81.5% assault-related and no significant decline in annual incidence. Geographic mapping identified high-risk zip codes, emphasizing the need for targeted community-based prevention strategies.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background/Purpose
Pediatric gunshot wounds (GSWs) carry significant incidence, mortality, and cost. We evaluated 20 years of GSW demographics at this level 1 trauma center and constructed a risk map triangulating areas of high incidence with risk factors.
Methods
Children 0–18 years suffering a GSW between 1996 and 2016 were identified via our trauma registry. Hospital charges, demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional variables were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of mortality. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping of incident location and residence identified areas of higher incidence.
Results
The cohort (n = 898) was 86.4% male. Mean age was 15.6 ± 3.4 years. Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 9 (1–75). Procedural and/or operative intervention occurred in 52.9%. Intent included assault (81.5%) and unintentional injury (12.8%). Hospital charges showed significant annual increase. Annual incidence varied without trend (p = 0.89). Mapping revealed significant clustering of GSWs in known lower socioeconomic areas. Yearly and total GSWs were highest in one particular zip code. ISS was a significant predictor of mortality (n = 18) (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.15–1.22, p