Test characteristics of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), repeated FAST, and clinical exam in prediction of intra-abdominal injury in children with blunt trauma

Study of 129 pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients demonstrates that combining FAST ultrasound, repeated FAST when needed, and physical exam achieves 87% sensitivity and 81% accuracy for detecting intra-abdominal injuries. This protocol may reduce unnecessary CT scans in hemodynamically stable children.