The impact of Behavioral Health Disorders (BHDs) on pediatric injury is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between BHDs and outcomes following pediatric trauma.
We analyzed injured children (age 5-15) from 2014-2016 using the Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Univariable and multivariable analyses compared children with and without a comorbid BHD.
Of 69,305 injured children, 3,448 (5%) had a BHD. These 3,448 children had a median of 1 [IQR: 1, 1] BHD diagnosis: ADHD (n=2491), major psychiatric disorder (n=1037), drug use disorder (n=250), and alcohol use disorder (n=29). A higher proportion of injured children with BHDs suffered intentional and penetrating injury. Firearm injuries were more common for BHD patients (3% vs 1%, p25 compared to children without (5% vs 3%, p
