While a number of studies have examined the outcomes of major trauma, few have examined the outcomes of minor trauma. Families of children hospitalized with an injury for four days or fewer during April-June, 1998 were mailed the Child Health Questionnaire, a HRQOL measure in August, 1998. It contains 50 questions and yields 12 subscales and two summary measures and is standardized to the U.S. population over the age of 5. Forty-five questionnaires were returned from the sample of 107 for a response rate of 42%. The sample included 27 males and 18 females with a mean age of 10.31 years (SDą3.36) and a mean LOS of 1.67 days. The injuries included fractures, head injuries, as a result of falls, playground/sports injuries, burns, bike injuries and mvas. The scores of the Physical and Psychosocial Summaries were similar to those of the comparison group of the general United States population. Scores on the Behavior subscales for males, however, were greater than one SD below the general population. This mirrors the results of another part of the survey in which the parents of 22%- 24% of the study population had been told at one time that their child had either a behavior or attention problem. This finding is consistent with the literature that indicates that children with behavior problems are at increased risk of injuries. While the population studied does not appear to have long-term functional disabilities, they may benefit from injury prevention counseling targeted to their attention and behavior problems.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Identify the variety of outcomes which can be studied in children with pediatric trauma. 2. Articulate the role of pre-existing behavior and attention problems as risk factors for injury and for outcomes of these injuries
Keywords: Outcomes Research, Injuries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.