[Influence of armed conflict on mortality due to traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents].

Background: In the presence an armed conflagration, the mortality behavior of a country is expected to be affected. The aim of this investigation was to assess, in a country with internal warfare, the trend of mortality associated with traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents, which even under social peace conditions, is one of the most common causes of death and disability in this population groups.

Methods: A retrospective, population-based study was conducted, where the trend of mortality due to traumatic brain injury during the 1999 to 2008 period was assessed. A linear regression was performed to establish its correlation with mortality associated with warfare events of the armed conflict.

Results: Global mortality rate was 12.7 per 100 000 inhabitants. The temporary analysis showed a -9.67% annual decrease throughout the entire period of study (95 % CI = -9.25 % to -10.1 %; p < 0.001). The mortality rate was increased by 0.28 and 0.62 for each incremental unit in the armed conflict-related violent death rate and in civilian population, respectively.

Conclusions: In an armed conflict scenario, mortality behavior varies according to the intensity of warfare actions. Mortality due to traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents can be used as an indicator of the impact of war on civilian population not involved with the armed conflict.