Types of pediatric trauma in earthquake and key points of treatment / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Limb trauma is the most common among pediatric victims in earthquake. Compared with traumatic brain injury, which is frequent in earthquake, intracranial injury is rare, but it is the leading cause of death from trauma in earthquake. Thoracoabdominal crush injury, which often causes such crises as visceral hemorrhage, is also one of the main causes of death among pediatric victims in earthquake. Crush syndrome and osteofascial compartment syndrome are often complicated by acute renal failure. Because trauma is emergent in earthquake, the principle of "life-saving first, critical injury priority" should be complied with during on-site rescue. The injured children must be transferred to the medical center as soon as possible. It is essential to treat the critically injured children by multidisciplinary cooperation, and much attention should be paid to prevention of complications, rehabilitation care, and psychological counseling.