| Abstract: | Data from the last 50 years suggest that pediatric pa-tients typically suffer cardiothoracic injuries following blunt traumatic force(70%) in the setting of either motor vehicle crashes(53.5%) or vehicle-pedestrian accidents(18.2%). Penetrating trauma accounts for 30% of pediatric cardiothoracic injuries, half of which are gunshot wounds. Graduated driver licensing progr-ams, gun-control legislation, off-road vehicle regulation, initiatives such as "Prevent the Bleed", as well as prof-essional society recommendations are key in preventing pediatric cardiothoracic injuries. |
