Pelvic fractures in a pediatric level I trauma center.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the characteristics associated with the risk of complications and mortality in children sustaining pelvic fractures.

SETTING

Urban university pediatric Level I trauma center in a large metropolitan community.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective analysis of 57 consecutive children with 66 pelvic fractures seen between 1993 and 1999.

INTERVENTION

Fifty-two patients were treated nonoperatively, and five patients required operative stabilization (four acetabular fractures and one partial sacroiliac joint disruption).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Type and cause of pelvic fracture, type of management used, incidence of associated injuries, hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and mortality.

RESULTS

Hemorrhage directly related to the pelvic fracture occurred in only one patient (2%), whereas 11 other patients required transfusions associated with other body-area injuries. Three patients with pelvic fractures died (5%), but deaths were due to other body-area injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with pediatric pelvic fractures require careful evaluation for other body-area injuries, as these are most likely to be related to hemorrhage or mortality.