The following is a summary of “Elder child or young adult? Adolescent trauma mortality amongst pediatric and adult facilities,” published in the December 2022 issue of Surgery by Stephenson, et al.

Although it was believed that teenage patients at pediatric trauma centers (PTC), adult trauma centers (ATC), and combined facilities (MTC) got equivalent trauma care, the assumption was still unproven.

Through the NTDB, researchers conducted retrospective cohort research to evaluate individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 who visited a level 1 or level 2 trauma center between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019. To assess the mortality risk across different forms of trauma facility verification, several logistic regression models were carried out.

Over the course of four years, 91,881 teenagers sought trauma treatment. Death rates were higher when there was hypotension, severe TBI, a gun’s mechanism, or an ISS >15. The risks of trauma-related death were statistically greater at MTCs (OR 1.82, P = 0.004) and ATCs (OR 1.89–2.05, P = 0.001–0.002) compared to PTCs .

Compared to those receiving care at PTCs, injured adolescents receiving care at ATCs and MTCs. It was necessary to do further analysis of the variables influencing this observed difference, which might provide chances to enhance the outcomes for adolescents who have been harmed.

Reference: americanjournalofsurgery.com/article/S0002-9610(22)00540-2/fulltext