Firearms Are Now the Leading Cause of Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Mortality in Children.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated a significant change in the epidemiology of injury fatalities in children, most notably a marked increase in firearm-related deaths. Few studies have specifically addressed pediatric TBI-related mortality trends. Studying these trends is important for both clinical preparedness and public health interventions. The purpose of this study therefore is to examine recent trends in mechanisms, intents, and rates of pediatric TBI fatalities. Data regarding fatalities from TBI for children < 18 years of age from 2011 to 2021 were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics' web-based injury statistics query and reporting system. We found that firearms became the leading cause of TBI fatalities in children by 2021, most frequently attributable to self-harm. Taken together, the findings from this study underscore the importance in monitoring the changing epidemiology of pediatric TBI fatalities.

Volume

4

Issue

1

First Page

823

Last Page

826

ISSN

2689-288X

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

38076644

Department(s)

Medical Education

Document Type

Article

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS