ABSTRACT
A1 A The kidney is the genitourinary organ most frequently involved in both blunt and penetrating trauma, accounting for more than 50% of the genitourinary traumas. It is thought that the kidney is involved in 10%–20% of all the paediatric blunt abdominal traumas. More than 90% of all kidney injuries are secondary to blunt trauma. Blunt renal injuries are associated with other intra-abdominal injuries in 42%–74% of patients. When isolated kidney injuries occur, they are usually minor injuries. The bladder is the second most commonly injured genitourinary organ, and injury occurs as a result of blunt abdominal trauma in up to 80% of patients. Bladder injuries are associated with pelvic fractures in 75%–95% of blunt abdominal trauma. Ureteral injuries are rare and occur in less than 1% of blunt abdominal trauma and 4% of penetrating abdominal trauma. Urethral injuries are different in children than in adults because of the fact that the prostate is less developed and does not protect the posterior urethra in children. Posterior urethral trauma is associated with pelvic fractures whereas anterior urethral trauma is associated with straddle injuries. Testicular injuries are rare in children although scrotal haematoma is more frequent.
