Aim: Forensic trauma has become frequently seen in Emergency Departments and these injuries can leave significant sequelae reaching a life-threatening degree and may even result in death. Through retrospective examination, the aim of this study was to define the frequency of forensic trauma cases presenting at our clinic in one year, to reveal the outlook of our region with references to relevant epidemiological data, and to provide guidance on the approach to be taken by physicians encountering these cases.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective examination was made among cases aged below 18 years who presented for forensic reasons at the Emergency Medicine Clinic of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between August 2013 and August 2014.
Results: The study included 951 patients aged under 18 years who presented at the Emergency Department. The patients were 703 (73.9%) males and 248 (26.1%) females. The reasons for presentation were determined as physical assault in 521 cases, fall from heights in 220 (23.0%), assault in 79 (8.3%), burn injury in 19 (2.0%), stabbing and penetrating injuries in 7 (0.7%), family violence in 4 (0.4%), sexual abuse in 2 (0.2%), assault and drug use in 2 (0.2%), attempted suicide in 3 (0.3%), intoxication in 2 (0.2%), and other causes in 92 (9.7%).
Conclusion: Physical assault and fall heights were seen to be the most common causes of pediatric forensic traumas. The results of the current study showed significant differences in forensic trauma according to gender. In males, there was a significantly higher rate of stab wounds.
Key words: Forensic Trauma; Child; Non-Traffic Accident Trauma; Emergency Department.
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