Traumatic injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the United States. Single institution studies suggest an increased risk of poor mental health outcomes among these patients, but there are few population-based studies assessing this risk.
The IBM MarketScanࣨ private insurance claims database was used to identify children (6-17yo) with traumatic injuries between 2007 and 2016. Time-to-event analysis was performed to compare rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder among children admitted to the hospital compared to children treated in the emergency department (ED), urgent care (UC), or in the outpatient setting, and to children admitted with uncomplicated appendicitis.
Among children admitted for traumatic injury, 3.3% developed a subsequent mental health diagnosis, and 1.6% developed PTSD. Children admitted for traumatic injury were at increased risk of developing a mental health condition (HR 1.34, p
