• Jeffrey B Knox, John E Schneider, Jason M Cage, Robert L Wimberly, and Anthony I Riccio.
• *Tripler Army Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery Service, Honolulu, HI †Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Childrens Medical Center ‡Department of Orthopedics, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
• J Pediatr Orthop. 2014 Oct 1;34(7):698-702.

BackgroundThe immature spine has anatomic and biomechanical properties that differ from the adult spine and result in unique characteristics of pediatric spinal trauma. Although distinct patterns of spinal injury have been identified in children younger than 10 years of age, little research has explored the differing characteristics of spinal trauma within this age group, particularly in the very young. The purpose of this study is to identify differences in the epidemiology and characteristics of spinal trauma between children under the age of 4 years and those between 4 and 9 years of age.MethodsA review of all patients treated for spinal injury at a single large level I pediatric trauma center between 2003 and 2011 was conducted. Demographic data, injury mechanism, neurologic status, and details of any associated injuries were compiled. Radiographic studies were used to determine injury location and fracture classification. The patient population was divided into 2 groups: the infantile/toddler (IT) group (ages 0 to 3 y) and the young (Y) group (ages 4 to 9 y). Data were compared between these groups using the χ2 test and the Student t test to identify differences in injury characteristics.ResultsA total of 206 patients were identified. Fifty-seven patients were between 0 and 3 years of age and 149 were between 4 and 9 years old. Although motor vehicle collision was the most common cause of injury in both the groups, nonaccidental trauma was responsible for 19% of spine trauma among patients aged 0 to 3 years. Cervical spine injuries were much more common in the youngest patients (P<0.05) with injuries primarily in the upper cervical spine. Children in the IT group were more likely to sustain ligamentous injuries, whereas Y patients had more compression fractures (P<0.05). Neurologic injury was common in both the groups with IT patients more often presenting with complete loss of function or hemiplegia and Y patients sustaining more spinal cord injuries (P<0.05). IT patients had a 25% mortality rate, which was significantly higher than that of the Y group (P=0.005).ConclusionsThis study shows many significant differences in characteristics of spinal injury in infants/toddlers when compared with older children. These differences can help guide diagnostic evaluation and initial management, as well as future prevention efforts.Level Of EvidenceLevel III.

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