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The new epidemic in children: penetrating injuries.

OBJECTIVE
It is our hypothesis that there has been a dramatic increase in penetrating injuries in children. The purpose of this study is to verify this "new" epidemic in children and to note some of its characteristics.


METHODS
We performed a 7-year retrospective review of the trauma registry at our urban pediatric (< 16 years of age) trauma center (UPTC).


RESULTS
The percentage of admissions due to penetrating injuries at our UPTC has gradually risen over the past 7 years primarily due to gunshot wounds. In 1992 and 1993, compared to 1987 and 1988, the incidence of penetrating injuries has increased from 20 to 36% in all children and from 45 to 66% in the 12-to-15-year-old age group.


CONCLUSION
Injuries due to penetrating trauma have, indeed, increased to epidemic proportions.