ORLANDO, Fla.— Children who are injured by firearms require significantly more inpatient care, have higher medical complication rates and face a greater risk of death than children with other forms of trauma, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, FL.
The abstract, "Pediatric Firearm Injuries: Unveiling the Unmatched Healthcare Burden and Costs," to be presented during the conference Sept. 27-Oct. 1 at the Orange County Convention Center, evaluated data from patients ages 21 and younger between 2017 and 2020. Using data provided by the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), researchers compared complications, costs and mortality risks of injuries caused by firearms, penetrating trauma (such as stab wounds), or blunt trauma (such as from motor vehicle collisions).
"Children are particularly vulnerable to the devastating impact of gun violence, often resulting in severe, life-altering and life-long injuries," said Colleen Nofi, DO, PhD, MBA, MSc, surgeon at Northwell Health's Cohen Children's Medical Center, scientist at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, and lead author on paper. "Our study shows that children injured by firearms are more likely to need life-saving procedures, inpatient interventions, and major surgeries than other traumas, all of which will profoundly affect survivors' lives forever -- as well increased health care costs."
The abstract analyzes 82,405 patients whose injuries were categorized using the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision injury codes. Of the total patients, 6,615 sustained firearm injuries; 9,787 were penetrating traumas; and 66,003 were blunt traumas.
Researchers found the procedures and operations more frequently required for firearm injuries, such as major organ resections, breathing device insertions, and ostomies, often result in significant morbidity and long-term consequences. Additionally, firearm injuries confer significantly greater costs than other types of trauma.
The results showed that Black patients were more often injured by firearms (57%), compared to only 14% and 17% for penetrating and blunt trauma, respectively. A majority of firearm injured patients were in the lowest income quartile (53%) compared to penetrating and blunt trauma patients, at 29% and 32%, respectively.
The mean length of a patient's stay in the hospital was significantly greater for firearm injuries, at 10.8 days, compared with 8.3 days for penetrating injuries and 9.8 days for those with blunt trauma.
"These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention, supportive measures, and resource allocation to mitigate the devastating impact of firearm injuries on children and healthcare systems alike," Dr. Nofi said.
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The study was funded by the Center for Gun Violence Prevention, Northwell Health.
Study author Dr. Nofi is scheduled to present her research, which is below, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Saturday September 28, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.
