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Archivos de Pediatría del Uruguay
versión impresa ISSN 0004-0584versión On-line ISSN 1688-1249
Resumen
NOTEJANE, Martín; BERNADA, Mercedes; GONZALEZ, Andrea y BERTINAT, Andrea. Children assisted at the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit of Pereira Rossell Hospital for injuries due to external causes. 2008-2016. Arch. Pediatr. Urug. [online]. 2017, vol.88, n.3, pp.149-156. ISSN 0004-0584.
Introduction:
injuries due to “external causes” are a public health problem. In Uruguay they are the leading cause of death throughout childhood and adolescence, after the first year of life. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), among others, is the leading cause of death, serious injury and disability.
Objectives:
to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of children assisted at the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (UCPP-CHPR), as a consequence of injuries due to “external causes”.
Method:
descriptive, retrospective study. Children under 18 years old who were assisted at UCPP-CHPR between 1/10/2008 and 11/30/2016 were included in the study.
Results:
in the period studied, 5.4% (38/703) children were seen as a result of “external causes” injuries. Median age: 4 years, 11 months (range: 3 months - 15 years); Male: 23/38. Among the “external causes” that resulted in the patient’s need of pediatric palliative care, the following were the most frequent: traffic accidents (17/38), battered child (11/38). Most patients in the study evidenced severe TBI (27/38). Upon hospital discharge they still presented: motor neurological sequela (33/38); severe language disorder (19/38). 36/38 of them used prosthesis and/ or medical technology devices at some point (36/38); 26/36 of them needing more than one. Seven deaths were recorded.
Conclusions:
five percent of the children assisted at the UCPP-CHPR were seen as a consequence of injuries due to “external causes”, most of which are avoidable. These determined important permanent sequelae, disability and dependence that required complex care during hospitalization and after discharge, as well as a transdisciplinary and interinstitutional approach and quality care.
Palabras clave : Traffic accidents; Child abuse; Wounds and injuries; Palliative care; Child.