Traumatic head injuries in children: demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes in Saudi Arabia
Dublin Core
Title
Traumatic head injuries in children: demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes in Saudi Arabia
Subject
Children head injury, Trauma, Mortality, Public health
Description
Abstract
Background Traumatic head injuries (THIs) are among the leading cause of mortality and intensive care unit (ICU)
admission in children worldwide. Most of the published literature concerning THIs arises predominantly from North
America and Europe. However, only limited data about the incidence, characteristics and impact on children in Saudi
Arabia exists.
Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of THIs in children (≤18 years of age) using data from the Saudi
TraumA Registry (STAR) from August 2017 to December 2022. Data included patient demographic characteristics, the
mechanism, type and severity of injury. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between
outcomes and clinical factors.
Results We identified 466 children with THI. Most children were over six years of age (69.5%) and male (76.6%).
Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) were the most common cause of THIs (51.9%), with falls being more common in infants
(69.8%). Over half of the children required ICU admission. Children with higher injury severity score, heart rate at
presentation to the ED, hospital stay duration, respiratory assistance and need for surgery were more likely to require
ICU admission. The overall mortality rate was 7.7%, with schoolchildren (age: 6–12 years) having the highest mortality
rate (10.8%). Higher rates of ICU admission were associated with increases in the injury severity score (ISS), hospital
stay duration, respiratory assistance and the need for surgery.
Conclusions Children in the 6–12 year age-group had the highest mortality rate, reflecting high injury severities
associated with increased ICU admissions. These findings highlight the importance of targeting preventive measures
for MVCs in older children and improving trauma care for severe cases.
Clinical trial number Not applicable.
Keywords Children head injury, Trauma, Mortality, Public health
Background Traumatic head injuries (THIs) are among the leading cause of mortality and intensive care unit (ICU)
admission in children worldwide. Most of the published literature concerning THIs arises predominantly from North
America and Europe. However, only limited data about the incidence, characteristics and impact on children in Saudi
Arabia exists.
Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of THIs in children (≤18 years of age) using data from the Saudi
TraumA Registry (STAR) from August 2017 to December 2022. Data included patient demographic characteristics, the
mechanism, type and severity of injury. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between
outcomes and clinical factors.
Results We identified 466 children with THI. Most children were over six years of age (69.5%) and male (76.6%).
Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) were the most common cause of THIs (51.9%), with falls being more common in infants
(69.8%). Over half of the children required ICU admission. Children with higher injury severity score, heart rate at
presentation to the ED, hospital stay duration, respiratory assistance and need for surgery were more likely to require
ICU admission. The overall mortality rate was 7.7%, with schoolchildren (age: 6–12 years) having the highest mortality
rate (10.8%). Higher rates of ICU admission were associated with increases in the injury severity score (ISS), hospital
stay duration, respiratory assistance and the need for surgery.
Conclusions Children in the 6–12 year age-group had the highest mortality rate, reflecting high injury severities
associated with increased ICU admissions. These findings highlight the importance of targeting preventive measures
for MVCs in older children and improving trauma care for severe cases.
Clinical trial number Not applicable.
Keywords Children head injury, Trauma, Mortality, Public health
Creator
Hussin Albargi1*, Rayan Jafnan Alharbi1
, Ateeq Almuwallad1
, Naif Harthi1
, Yahya Khormi2,3,
Hari Krishnan Kanthimathinathan4
and Sharfuddin Chowdhury5,6
, Ateeq Almuwallad1
, Naif Harthi1
, Yahya Khormi2,3,
Hari Krishnan Kanthimathinathan4
and Sharfuddin Chowdhury5,6
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00808-w
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Hussin Albargi1*, Rayan Jafnan Alharbi1
, Ateeq Almuwallad1
, Naif Harthi1
, Yahya Khormi2,3,
Hari Krishnan Kanthimathinathan4
and Sharfuddin Chowdhury5,6, “Traumatic head injuries in children: demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes in Saudi Arabia,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12623.