The Impact Of The COVID-19 Lockdown On The Severity Of Pediatric Traumas

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the results of COVID-19 lockdown in terms of child traumas and to reveal the change in the characteristics and severity of traumas by comparing the lockdown period with the same period one year ago. Material and Method: The records of pediatric trauma patients at department of Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital were assessed retrospectively. The data of all pediatric traumas between the specified dates were reached and the sample of the study was determined as 1970 patients. Descriptive characteristics of patients and trauma events were determined. Patient data were re-assessed, and Pediatric Trauma Scores, and Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale values, and Injury Severity Scores were calculated. Results: Of the patients, 1637 (83.1%) had admitted before the lockdown and 333 admitted during the lockdown period. It was found that the school-age children constituted the group with the most prevalent trauma patients in both periods with a rate of 76.2% before the lockdown and 49.8% in the lockdown period. It was found that the measure of lockdown reduced the rate of outdoor trauma cases from 63.2% to 43.2% (p < 0.001). Whereas a statistically significant decrease was determined in the mean scores of the Pediatric Trauma Score and the Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale, no difference was determined in the Injury Severity Score. Conclusion: It is seen that the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, which change our normal life in every aspect, also have effects on pediatric traumas. It is noticed from our study that thanks to the lockdown, not only the number of traumas but also the severe traumas and mortality decreased.