Análisis de una serie de 134 niños atropellados por vehículos a motor procedente de un servicio de urgencias pediátrico / Pediatric emergency department care of children injured by motor vehicles: report of a series

RESUMEN

Se describe el perfil y el patrón lesional del niño atropellado atendido en un servicio de urgencias pediátrico (SUP), su morbimortalidad y la utilidad de la información obtenida en el SUP. El estudio retrospectivo-descriptivo se centró en menores de 18 años y serealizó entre febrero de 2005 y junio de 2006. Se recogieron 134 pacientes (HM1,61 - mediana de edad 8,8 años), el 94,1% fueron atropellados en ciudad, por automóviles,el 32,1% en verano y el 45,8% de 17-20 h. El 97% resultó lesionado y el 91%fue leve. Las lesiones localizadas en extremidades (70,1%) y cráneo (37%); se produjeron por contusiones (67,2%) y traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) (34,3%). Ingresaron el 23,9% y la mortalidad fue del 1,5%. La información obtenida en el SUP ayuda adefinir el perfil y el patrón lesional esperable. La afectación de áreas vitales es frecuente.Parece razonable reforzar la prevención en verano y al final de las jornadas escolar y laboral (AU)

ABSTRACT

We describe the type of injuries our hospital’s pediatric emergency department treats in children run over by motorvehicles, estimate morbidity and mortality, and to assess the utility of information recorded in the department. This was a retrospective descriptive study of patients under the age of 18 years who were treated between February 2005 and June2006. Of the 134 patients (ratio of boys to girls, 1.61; median age, 8.8 years), 94.1% were run over by cars in the city ;32.1% of the accidents occurred in summer and 45.8% occurred between the hours of 500 and 800 P.M. Ninety-seven percent of the children sustained injuries; 91% of the injuries were not serious. The injuries were located on the extremities(70.1%) and head (37%); 67.2% were contusions and 34.3% were brain injuries. The department admitted 23.9% of thechildren; mortality was 1.5%. Information recorded by the emergency department helped define the profile of injuries ofthis type that can be expected. Injuries are often near vital structures. We conclude that it would be justifiable to reinforce prevention in the summertime as well as after school and working hours (AU)