DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH HEAD TRAUMA

Abstract Objective: In this study, it was aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics, mortality rates, hospitalization rates and causes of trauma in pediatric patients admitted to the emergency department with head trauma. Materials and Methods: Pediatric patients admitted to a university hospital emergency department (tertiary emergency service) between 01.01.2015 and 31.12.2020 due to head trauma were included in this study. Demographic data of the patients, computed tomography reports of the heads, inpatient to departments or intensive care units, discharge status, Glasgow Coma Scores, Glasgow Outcome Scores were evaluated retrospectively and statistically analyzed. Results: 691 patients were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 7.7 years (IQR;4.2-.13.1). It was observed that the most common age range for head trauma was 10-14 years (early adolescence). The most common cause of head trauma was falling (n=501 72.5%). According to GCS, the most common cause of severe trauma was traffic accidents (n=8, 72.7%). Conclusion: In our study; Contrary to the literature, it has been determined that head trauma occurs most frequently in the 10-14 age group. In our study, we found that the most common cause of head trauma was falling, but the most common cause of death was traffic accidents.