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. 2015:35:135-9.

Pediatric Spine Trauma in the United States--Analysis of the HCUP Kid'S Inpatient Database (KID) 1997-2009

Sergio Mendoza-Lattes, Javier Besomi, Cormac O'Sullivan, Zachary Ries, Gnanapragasam Gnanapradeep, Rachel Nash, Yubo Gao, Stuart Weinstein

Pediatric Spine Trauma in the United States--Analysis of the HCUP Kid'S Inpatient Database (KID) 1997-2009

Sergio Mendoza-Lattes et al. Iowa Orthop J. 2015.

Abstract

Background: Few references are available describing the epidemiology of pediatric spine injuries. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence, risk factors and trends during the period from 1997 to 2009 of pediatric spine injuries in the United States using a large national database.

Methods: Data was obtained from the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) developed by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), for the years 1997-2009. This data includes >3 million discharges from 44 states and 4121 hospitals on children younger than 20 years. Weighted variables are provided which allow for the calculation of national prevalence rates. The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), HCUP. net, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data were used for verification and comparison.

Results: A prevalence of 107.96 pmp (per million population) spine injuries in children and adolescents was found in 2009, which is increased from the 77.07 pmp observed in 1997. The group 15 to 19 years old had the highest prevalence of all age groups in (345.44 pmp). Neurological injury was present in 14.6% of the cases, for a prevalence of 15.82 pmp. The majority (86.7%) of these injuries occurred in children >15 years. Motor vehicle collisions accounted for 52.9% of all spine injuries, particularly in children >15 years. Between 1997 and 2009 the hospital length of stay decreased, but hospital charges demonstrated a significant increase.

Conclusions: Pediatric Spine Injuries continue to be a relevant problem, with rates exceeding those of other industrialized nations. Teenagers >15 years of age were at greatest risk, and motor vehicle collisions accounted for the most common mechanism. An increase in prevalence was observed between 1997 and 2009, and this was matched by a similar increase in hospital charges.

Level of evidence: III.

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Figures

Chart 1
Chart 1. Trends in Prevalence of Pediatric Spine Trauma From 1997–2009.
Chart 2
Chart 2. Anatomic Distribution of Spinal Injuries By Age Group.
Chart 3
Chart 3. Anatomic Distribution of Spinal Injuries That Resulted in Neurological Injury By Age Group.
Chart 4
Chart 4. Comparison of Incidence of Spinal Injuries Caused by Motor Vehicle Collisions (MVC) By Age Groups.
Chart 5
Chart 5. Trends in Hospital Charges (TOTCHG) and Hospital Length of Stay (LOS) From 1997–2009 Amongst Pediatric Spine Trauma Patients
Chart 6
Chart 6. Prevalence of Spine Injuries By Age From Two Common Databases, The NHTSA and the KID, For The Year 2009.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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