Sheff Zachary T, Engbrecht Brett W
Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, 2001 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, United States. Email:
Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, 2001 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, United States.
J Inj Violence Res. 2024 Mar 13;16(1):61-70. doi: 10.5249/jivr.v16i1.1771.
Previous studies have shown a reduction in pediatric trauma volume during COVID-19, but many have looked at a limited number of facilities, analyzed a narrow timeframe, or both. The objective of this analysis was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric trauma volume for a statewide sample during 2020. Based on previous literature, researchers hypothesized a reduction in volume during the implementation of these policies.
Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of five years (2016 - 2020) of Indiana's statewide trauma patient registry. Patients under age 15 were included. Those who were transfer patients or missing key data were excluded. In total, 10,926 patients were included in analysis. Baseline years (2016 - 2019) were compared to 2020 to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric trauma volume.
Overall monthly volume of pediatric traumas were lower than baseline in March and April 2020 (though not significantly), but rebounded quickly and were above trend in the latter half of the year. Injury patterns differed in both mechanism and location from previous years. Gunshot wounds were more prevalent than previous years, while the volume of non-accidental traumas fell slightly. Injuries that occurred in private residences rose significantly, while fewer took place in schools.
Results indicated an initial drop in injury volume consistent with previous findings, but these were offset by increased volume in the second half of 2020. The growth in gun violence is concerning and warrants additional research. Changes in behavior in response to the pandemic such as reduced participation in sports and use of playgrounds, reduced driving, and increased time at home help explain the changes observed in injury patterns. These findings emphasize the continued need for pediatric trauma care during the pandemic.
先前的研究表明，在新冠疫情期间儿科创伤病例数量有所减少，但许多研究的观察对象仅为少数医疗机构，或分析的时间范围较窄，或两者皆有。本分析的目的是评估2020年新冠疫情对全州范围内儿科创伤病例数量的影响。基于先前的文献，研究人员推测在这些政策实施期间病例数量会减少。
对印第安纳州全州创伤患者登记处五年（2016 - 2020年）的数据进行回顾性横断面分析。纳入15岁以下的患者。排除转院患者或关键数据缺失的患者。总计10926例患者纳入分析。将基准年份（2016 - 2019年）与2020年进行比较，以评估新冠疫情对儿科创伤病例数量的影响。
2020年3月和4月儿科创伤的总体月病例数量低于基线水平（虽无显著差异），但迅速反弹，且在当年下半年高于趋势水平。损伤模式在机制和部位上与前几年有所不同。枪伤比前几年更为普遍，而非意外创伤的病例数量略有下降。发生在私人住宅的损伤显著增加，而发生在学校的损伤则减少。
结果表明创伤病例数量最初有所下降，这与先前的研究结果一致，但在2020年下半年被病例数量的增加所抵消。枪支暴力的增加令人担忧，值得进一步研究。因疫情而导致的行为变化，如减少参加体育活动和使用游乐场、减少驾车以及增加居家时间，有助于解释观察到的损伤模式变化。这些发现强调了在疫情期间持续提供儿科创伤护理的必要性。
