ABSTRACT
Trauma-related injuries are the leading cause of death in children over the age of one.(1) Management of pediatric blunt trauma patients requires a unique subset of skills and knowledge. While many common themes are shared between adult and pediatric trauma patients, the diagnostic approach and ultimate management is often markedly different. Regardless of the age of the patient, the majority of traumatic injuries in the United States are the result of blunt trauma, with motor vehicle collisions being the most common mechanism. Children are more likely to be pedestrians in these types of crashes, as compared to adults.(2) In contrast to penetrating trauma, blunt trauma often presents a greater challenge to the surgeon in determining the scope and severity of the injury and-subsequently-the decision for operative intervention.
