Pre-Hospital Paediatric Preventable Injuries: Who, What, When and Where?.
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Kocierz L.
Bird F.
Henry C.L.
Strutt M.
Dobbie A.
Lockey, D. J.
Contact
Check for full-text access
Issue Date
2026
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
IntroductionTrauma remains the leading cause of mortality among children over one year of age in the United Kingdom (UK). Accidental injuries and violence represent some of the most preventable contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyse data from a physician-led, urban pre-hospital service to identify paediatric populations at risk of preventable injury, characterise common mechanisms of injury, and explore temporal and geographic trends to inform targeted prevention strategies.Study DesignA retrospective review was conducted of paediatric patients (aged 2 metres), penetrating trauma, and road traffic collisions (RTCs). Regression analysis was performed to assess for any association between injury and index of deprivation.Results782 patients met inclusion criteria. 607 (78%) patients sustained injuries classified as potentially preventable. The majority of cases involved male patients (n = 483, 79.6%). Adolescents aged 12-16 years accounted for the highest proportion of penetrating trauma (n = 279, 96%) and RTCs (n = 92, 54%). Falls from height were most commonly seen in pre-school children aged 0-4 years (n = 73, 50%). A significant association was observed between rate of preventable injury and level of socioeconomic deprivation.ConclusionThis study identified distinct patterns in paediatric trauma presentations. Pre-school aged children were disproportionately affected by falls from height, whereas school-aged children were more frequently injured through penetrating trauma and RTCs, particularly in the early evening period following school hours. Socioeconomic deprivation was strongly associated with increased risk of all types of preventable injury. These findings underscore the need for targeted, multi-agency interventions, including collaboration with injury prevention programmes, police, and public health bodies to reduce the burden of preventable paediatric trauma. Copyright © 2026, The Authors. All rights reserved.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Journal
SSRN