• Lindsey L Perea, Karla Echeverria Rosario, Stacey Staman, and Nicole Fox.
• From the Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA.
• Pediatr Emerg Care. 2022 Feb 1; 38 (2): e943e946e943-e946.

ObjectivesPediatric trauma patients are injured during crucial developmental years and require subsequent absence from school and activities. The impact of these changes on pediatric trauma patients is not well studied. We sought to assess the functional and emotional impact of pediatric trauma. In addition, the inpatient experience was evaluated for performance improvement purposes.MethodsA prospective survey was conducted at our trauma center (February 2019 to May 2019) of admitted trauma patients (<18 years). Patients who died before admission and nonaccidental trauma patients were excluded. Patients completed an inpatient survey and another at 3 months postdischarge.ResultsSixty patients were enrolled; 31 completed follow-up. Patients were 10 ± 5 years, 75% being male (n = 45), with an Injury Severity Score of 7 ± 6. A total of 13% were seen by behavioral medicine while inpatient; 18% of patients had preexisting anxiety. Preexisting functional limitations existed in 7% of the patients. At 3 months, 71% were back to preinjury academics, and 58% had returned to extracurriculars. At follow-up, 10% of patients felt withdrawn, and 32% felt emotional/distracted. Only 13% of patients were undergoing therapy compared with 7% preinjury. Patients communicated their best/worst experiences.ConclusionPediatric trauma patients experience significant functional and emotional limitations after trauma. This suggests that all pediatric trauma patients should be evaluated by behavioral medicine during their admission with postdischarge support services offered. Performance improvement opportunities were identified in areas of pain control and communication.Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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