Does pediatric trauma center designation matter for children in shock from gunshot wounds? A Trauma Quality Improvement Program analysis.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated improved outcomes for severely injured pediatric trauma patients treated at pediatric trauma centers (PTCs). Nonetheless, specific injury patterns requiring immediate lifesaving intervention may offset the recognized benefits of PTC over adult trauma centers (ATCs). This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of hypotensive pediatric trauma patients with gunshot wounds (GSWs), based on trauma center type. We hypothesize that outcomes are equivalent for this clinical scenario.

Methods: The 2013-2021 Trauma Quality Improvement Program data set was used to identify all hypotensive pediatric patients (15 years or younger) with GSWs. Hypotension was defined per Pediatric Advanced Life Support Guidelines. Patients with an Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 6 in any region and transferred patients were excluded. In order to identify the association between PTC verification status and outcomes, Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used.

Results: A total of 687 patients met the criteria for analysis, and 236 (34%) cases were treated at PTCs. Pediatric trauma center patients were slightly younger (lower quartile, 10 vs. 12 years old; p = 0.037). There was no significant difference in Injury Severity Score or crude mortality rates (68.1% vs. 70.8%, p = 0.524). After adjusting for confounders, Poisson regression showed no reduction in in-hospital mortality, complications, failure to rescue, intensive care unit admission, or mechanical ventilation rates at PTCs compared with ATCs.

Conclusion: Gunshot wounds in children pose unique clinical challenges. Majority of cases are cared for at ATCs. Analysis of best available data did not demonstrate a benefit to managing these patients at a PTC. Conversely, ATCs were not superior, despite managing this scenario in both adults and children more often. These findings underscore the importance of ATCs in the care of this particular injury pattern and call attention to the recent pediatric readiness requirements for American College of Surgeons (ACS)-verified trauma centers to treat pediatric firearm injuries at both PTCs and ATC.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.