In-hospital mortality pattern of severely injured children

BACKGROUND: Although trauma remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children, less attention has been directed to this group of patients. Whilst there is considerable literature on trauma in adults, only few studies describe paediatric trauma. The aim of this study was to describe the mortality pattern of severely injured children admitted to a Danish level I trauma centre. METHODS: We included trauma patients aged 15 years or less, who subsequent a trauma team activation were admitted during the 9-year period 1999-2007. Data were collected prospectively for subjects who had a length of stay ≥72h, were admitted to the intensive care unit (regardless of length of stay), or died in hospital. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. p