open access

Vol 3, No 3 (2018)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Published online: 2018-09-30
Get Citation

The evaluation of pediatric forensic cases presented to emergency department

Atiye Kübra Ökçesiz1, Nalan Kozaci2, Mustafa Avci2, Bulut Demirel3
·
Pubmed: 26473148
·
Disaster Emerg Med J 2018;3(3):75-81.
Affiliations
  1. Isparta State Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Isparta, Türkiye
  2. University of Health Science, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye
  3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Halil Şıvgın Çubuk State Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye

open access

Vol 3, No 3 (2018)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Published online: 2018-09-30

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric age group serves as a preparation stage for the rest of the life. This age group has specific psychological, physiological and social conditions. This present study examined pediatric forensic cases aged between 0–18. Obtained parameters determined characteristics of pediatric age group foren- sic cases. 

Methods: 1624 pediatric forensic cases aged between 0–18 who were admitted to the emergency de- partment at a tertiary healthcare service between the dates 31 October 2014 and 31 October 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were evaluated in terms of age, gender, nationality, admission time and season, reasons for presentation, radiological imaging techniques, consultation, intervention, treatment ward, clinical outcome and application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

Results: Age average of the patients was 9,2 ± 6,2. Adolescent age group (49, 4%) was the most frequent- ly admitted after traumatization. 61% of the patients constituted male patients. An association between age and gender was not detected. The most frequent reasons for admissions were assault (28,7%) and drug intoxication (22,4%). Assault, drug intoxication, traffic accidents, substance intake, penetrating stab wounds, falling down from the height and animal bites were frequently seen in adolescents whereas sim- ple falling, corrosive substance ingestion and burn were highly seen in infants. Assault, penetrating stab wounds and gunshot injuries were detected to be frequent in males; drug and substance use was seen to be frequent in females. The patients (57%) were seen to be admitted to the emergency between the hours 1600–2400. 46.4% of the patients underwent radiological imaging. Trauma patients were seen to undergo radiological imaging more frequently. A consultation was required for 42.4% of the patients. The discharge rate of the patients from the emergency was 66.9%. Patients discharged from the emergency were seen to undergo radiography and computed tomography directly. This was found to be significantly high. 

Conclusions: Pediatric forensic cases are seen in adolescence and school-age children more frequently. The most frequent forensic cases were assaults and intoxications. Forensic cases are more frequently seen in males. Assaults are more frequent in males whereas intoxications are more frequent in females. Most of theforensiccasesaredischargedfromtheemergencydepartment. Patientsdischargedfromtheemergency undergo radiological imaging at higher rates compared to the other patients.   

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric age group serves as a preparation stage for the rest of the life. This age group has specific psychological, physiological and social conditions. This present study examined pediatric forensic cases aged between 0–18. Obtained parameters determined characteristics of pediatric age group foren- sic cases. 

Methods: 1624 pediatric forensic cases aged between 0–18 who were admitted to the emergency de- partment at a tertiary healthcare service between the dates 31 October 2014 and 31 October 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were evaluated in terms of age, gender, nationality, admission time and season, reasons for presentation, radiological imaging techniques, consultation, intervention, treatment ward, clinical outcome and application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

Results: Age average of the patients was 9,2 ± 6,2. Adolescent age group (49, 4%) was the most frequent- ly admitted after traumatization. 61% of the patients constituted male patients. An association between age and gender was not detected. The most frequent reasons for admissions were assault (28,7%) and drug intoxication (22,4%). Assault, drug intoxication, traffic accidents, substance intake, penetrating stab wounds, falling down from the height and animal bites were frequently seen in adolescents whereas sim- ple falling, corrosive substance ingestion and burn were highly seen in infants. Assault, penetrating stab wounds and gunshot injuries were detected to be frequent in males; drug and substance use was seen to be frequent in females. The patients (57%) were seen to be admitted to the emergency between the hours 1600–2400. 46.4% of the patients underwent radiological imaging. Trauma patients were seen to undergo radiological imaging more frequently. A consultation was required for 42.4% of the patients. The discharge rate of the patients from the emergency was 66.9%. Patients discharged from the emergency were seen to undergo radiography and computed tomography directly. This was found to be significantly high. 

Conclusions: Pediatric forensic cases are seen in adolescence and school-age children more frequently. The most frequent forensic cases were assaults and intoxications. Forensic cases are more frequently seen in males. Assaults are more frequent in males whereas intoxications are more frequent in females. Most of theforensiccasesaredischargedfromtheemergencydepartment. Patientsdischargedfromtheemergency undergo radiological imaging at higher rates compared to the other patients.   

Get Citation

Keywords

trauma; child; forensic cases; radiological imaging

About this article
Title

The evaluation of pediatric forensic cases presented to emergency department

Journal

Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal

Issue

Vol 3, No 3 (2018)

Pages

75-81

Published online

2018-09-30

Page views

2107

Article views/downloads

715

DOI

10.5603/DEMJ.2018.0018

Pubmed

26473148

Bibliographic record

Disaster Emerg Med J 2018;3(3):75-81.

Keywords

trauma
child
forensic cases
radiological imaging

Authors

Atiye Kübra Ökçesiz
Nalan Kozaci
Mustafa Avci
Bulut Demirel

References (25)
  1. UNICEF. SpringerReference. .
  2. Schalamon J, v Bismarck S, Schober PH, et al. Multiple trauma in pediatric patients. Pediatr Surg Int. 2003; 19(6): 417–423.
  3. Ayaz M, Ayaz AB, Soylu N. Psychological assessment in child and adolescent cases. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2012; 15(1): 33–40.
  4. Acehan S, Bilen A, Ay MO, et al. Assessment of child abuse and neglect. Archive Source Browsing Journal. 2013; 22(4).
  5. Ibiloglu A. Domestic Violence. Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry. 2012; 4(2): 204.
  6. Tuğcu H. Responsibility of the physician in emergency situations. Journal of Clinical Development Special issue of forensic medicine. 2009; 22: 85–8.
  7. Control CfD, Prevention. Vital signs: Unintentional injury deaths among persons aged 0-19 years-United States, 2000-2009. MMWR Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2012; 61: 270.
  8. DEMİRCİ Ş, DOĞAN KH, ERKOL Z, et al. Deaths of 0-18 Age Group Between 2001-2006 in Konya. Turkish Clinics Journal of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences. 2007; 4(3): 121–6.
  9. Brown J, Cohen P, Johnson JG, et al. Childhood abuse and neglect: specificity of effects on adolescent and young adult depression and suicidality. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999; 38(12): 1490–1496.
  10. Babaroğlu A. Child psychology and mental health. Ankara: Vize Publishing. 2013.
  11. Çınar O, Acar Y, Çevik E, et al. Analysis of forensic cases in the 0-18 years age group that were presented to emergency department. Anatol J Clin Investig. 2010; 4(4): 148–51.
  12. Karakus A, Zeren C, Karcioglu M, et al. Assessment of childhood forensic cases and protective measures. Turkish Journal of Forensic Medicine. 2013; 27(2): 100–106.
  13. Chinda JY, Abubakar AM, Umaru H, et al. Epidemiology and management of head injury in paediatric age group in North-Eastern Nigeria. Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2013; 10(4): 358–361.
  14. Astrand R, Undén J, Hesselgard K, et al. Clinical factors associated with intracranial complications after pediatric traumatic head injury: an observational study of children submitted to a neurosurgical referral unit. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2010; 46(2): 101–109.
  15. Cetinel Y, Gulalp B, Karagun O, et al. Pediatric Cases That Composed Temporary Legal Report; Whom? When? Journal of Academic Emergency Medicine. 2013; 12(3): 113–117.
  16. Donma MM, Tayfur İ, Erdem MN, et al. Evaluation of gender difference in pediatric trauma patients admitted to the emergency department. 2017.
  17. Hon KL, Leung TF, Cheung KL, et al. Severe childhood injuries and poisoning in a densely populated city: where do they occur and what type? J Crit Care. 2010; 25(1): 175.e7–175.12.
  18. Sümer V, Güler E, Karanfil R, et al. Retrospective evaluation of poisoning cases referred to pediatric emergency department. Turkish Pediatry Archives. 2011; 46(3).
  19. Yazar A, Akın F, Türe E, et al. Evaluation of Judicial Cases Involving Pediatric Emergency Clinics. Dicle Medical Journal. 2017; 44(4): 345–53.
  20. Duramaz BB, Yıldırım HM, Kıhtır HS, et al. Evaluation of forensic cases admitted to pediatric intensive care unit. Turk Pediatri Ars. 2015; 50(3): 145–150.
  21. Ilano AL, Raffin TA. Management of carbon monoxide poisoning. Chest. 1990; 97(1): 165–169.
  22. Trauma and Intentional Injury Characteristics of Pediatric Forensic Cases Applying to Emergency Room. Journal of Clinical and Analytical Medicine. 2016; 7(5).
  23. Embleton DB, Ertoran İ, Özkan A, et al. Evaluation of Mortality and Morbidity in Childhood in Traffic Accidents. Kocatepe Medical Journal. ; 17(3): 84–8.
  24. Demir ÖF, Aydın K, Turan F, et al. Analysis of forensic cases of children applying for emergency services. Turkish Pediatry Archives. 2013; 48(3).
  25. Tambay G, Satar S, Kozaci N, et al. Retrospective Analysis of Pediatric Trauma Cases Admitted to the Emergency Medicine Department. Journal of Academic Emergency Medicine. 2013; 12(1): 8–12.

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk, Poland
tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, fax:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl