Child Trauma Victims Face Critical Delays in Care

A recent study conducted at King George's Medical University (KGMU) highlights critical delays in accessing specialized trauma care for child victims. The research found that nearly half of admitted children arrived six to 24 hours after their injury, and over a fourth arrived even later, with no child reaching KGMU within the crucial first hour.

Road crashes accounted for the majority of admissions, representing 60.6% of cases. Falls were the leading cause among children under six, with beds and terraces identified as common fall sources. Boys comprised over two-thirds of admissions, experiencing injuries at more than double the rate of girls.

The study, involving 320 children aged up to 17, revealed that nearly one-third sustained severe injuries, and over half had moderate trauma. Urban children were more prone to road crash injuries, while rural children often suffered falls and required more complex surgeries due to referrals from peripheral facilities.

Researchers emphasized that these delays can be life-threatening, potentially leading to complications, disability, and death. All four reported deaths were of rural children injured in road crashes. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.2%, with most children discharged after treatment.

Furthermore, only 18.8% of admitted children were enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) before admission, with lower rates among rural children. The study's authors urged for enhanced home safety measures for young children, promotion of safer road behavior, and strengthened referral systems to ensure timely access to trauma care.