Retrospective Evaluation of Clinical, Demographic, and Prognostic Aspects of Pediatric Trauma Patients Followed in Our Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACTObjective: Childhood trauma remains a major cause of mortality and long-term morbidity. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the demographic characteristics, mechanisms of injury, injury patterns, and clinical outcomes of pediatric trauma patients admitted to a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU). Additionally, the prognostic value of trauma scoring systems (GCS, PTS, APACHE II) and selected biochemical parameters was assessed.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 223 patients under 18 years of age who were admitted to the ICU of the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Faculty of Medicine between 2016 and 2020 due to trauma. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and continuous variables were compared using Student’s t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate.Results: Of the patients, 72.2% were male, and the most frequently affected age group was 3–6 years (29.2%). Falls from height (28.7%) and out-of-vehicle traffic accidents (26.5%) were the leading causes of injury. Head trauma was identified in 77.1% of cases. The overall mortality rate was 16.1%. Mortality was associated with the need for mechanical ventilation, lower GCS and PTS scores, higher APACHE II scores, metabolic acidosis (low pH, elevated lactate, negative base excess), and coagulation abnormalities (elevated INR and PTZ).Conclusion: Many pediatric trauma cases are preventable. Trauma scoring systems and metabolic indicators may help identify high-risk patients early, and timely intensive care management may improve outcomes.