Stab wounds in children.

The Pediatric Surgical Service of Harlem Hospital Center admitted 75 children, 16-years-old and younger, with stab wounds since 1969. Rapid resuscitation and triage of children with major injuries directly to the operating room achieved 100% survival. Review of the circumstance of injury revealed that 75% of the stab wounds were inflicted by children and 66% were known to have been intentional. Social service and psychiatric intervention for troubled children and their families is essential and may decrease the risk of subsequent traumatic injury.