Head and neck trauma in hospitalized pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: The study goal was to determine the presentation of head and neck trauma (HNT) in hospitalized pediatric subjects.Study design and setting Retrospective review of 257 subjects admitted to a level I pediatric trauma center. RESULTS: The male/female ratio of the subjects was 2.5:1, with a median age of 9.3 years. Also, 35.0% of subjects had associated major non-HNT. HNT anatomic sites varied with age. The leading major HNT was facial/base of skull fractures (FBSF). Motor vehicle trauma was significant in subjects older than 3 years, and bite and falls were significant in subjects younger than 3 years. FBSF increased 3.7 times (P = 0.02) for subjects older than 10 years compared with subjects younger than 3 years. CONCLUSION: The most common major HNT was FBSF, with older age at higher risk. Associated major non-HNT is high. Mechanisms of injury and sites of HNT vary with age. SIGNIFICANCE: This information may improve prevention counseling and aid preparation for the management of pediatric HNT.