Outcomes of children transferred to a pediatric trauma center after blunt abdominal trauma: A 10-year experience.

Background: Most injured children are initially seen at non-pediatric hospitals, then transferred to a pediatric trauma center for definitive care. Published outcomes of transferred children with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) are sparse. Our objective is to describe this population and their disposition at a pediatric trauma center.

Methods: The study was performed at a level-1 pediatric trauma center (PTC) using data collected from electronic medical records and trauma registry. Patients 0-18 years with BAT transferred from outside facilities (OSF) between 2009 and 2019. Penetrating injuries were excluded. 923 patients were analyzed and grouped by whether computed tomography abdominal/pelvis (CTa/p) was obtained at each facility. Those with positive CTa/p at OSF were also compared to those with positive CTa/p results at our PTC. Descriptive statistics evaluated demographics, injury mechanism, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Scale (ISS), disposition, and length of stay (LOS).

Results: Males had higher predominance of positive CTa/p at both OSF and PTC (p = 0.0012), with motor vehicle crash (MVC) being the most common injury mechanism (p = 0.0002). Patients with positive CTa/p at PTC (n = 156) were associated with statistically higher ISS, lower GCS, more dispositions to OR and ICU, and longer LOS (all p < 0.005). Of patients with negative CTa/p at OSF (n = 41), none received subsequent CTa/p upon arrival to PTC and only 2 were admitted in the setting of head trauma. Of the patients without CTa/p performed at either facility or negative CTa/p at PTC (n = 23), most were admitted for non-abdominal trauma.

Conclusion: Compared to those with positive CTa/p at OSF, children who had positive CTa/p at PTC were younger, had higher ISS scores, and longer LOS, suggesting they were more seriously injured. Children with BAT and negative CTa/p in absence of other injuries, may not require transfer to a PTC. Enhanced understanding of these patients may reduce unnecessary transfers, improving resource utilization.