Characteristics and Trends of Pediatric Trauma in Jeju Island, South Korea: A Community Level Serial Cross-sectional study

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
²Department of Neurology, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
³Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
⁴Department of Emergency Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
⁵Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
⁶Department of Family Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
⁷Department of Neuropsychiatry, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju
⁸Department of Pediatrics, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju

Correspondence Sung Wook Song Tel: +82-64-717-1924, Fax: +82-64-717-1, Email: sungwook78@gmail.com

Received: February 11, 2024. Revised: May 18, 2024. Accepted: May 19, 2024. Published online: May 23, 2024.

ABSTRACT

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and epidemiological trends of pediatric injuries among patients visiting emergency departments (EDs) on Jeju Island.
Method
Employing a community-level serial cross-sectional analysis, we targeted pediatric patients aged 18 years or younger who visited EDs for injuries over a ten-year period. The data, sourced from the Jeju Injury Surveillance System (JISS), facilitated a comprehensive examination of injury characteristics and epidemiological trends. This included an evaluation of the annual incidence and overall trends in pediatric injury cases.
Results
The study found toddlers (42.5% of cases) to be the most frequently injured age group. Males were more prone to injuries, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. Injuries among visitors accounted for 17.3% of cases, with a seasonal spike in Summer, evenings and weekends. Most incidents occurred at home, predominantly accidental in nature, with adolescents more likely to require EMS services. The common mechanisms of injuries were blunt force (49.2%), slips/falls (22.0%), and motor vehicle collisions (13.2%), leading to bruises, cuts, and sprains. Over the decade, a general increase in pediatric injuries was observed. Accidental injuries initially surged but later stabilized, while self-harm/suicide and assault/violence injuries showed a concerning upward trend. Age-specific analysis revealed increasing trends in infants and adolescents.
Conclusion
The study underscores the crucial need for targeted injury prevention and resource allocation strategies, particularly for high-risk groups and times, to effectively mitigate pediatric trauma on Jeju Island.

Keywords: Pediatric trauma, epidemiological trends, Jeju Island, injury prevention, emergency department