Duodenal injuries in children: beware of child abuse

Case report emphasize pearls of duodenal perforation

INTRODUCTION

Isolated duodenal perforation secondary to trauma is a rare abdominal surgical condition, with a questionable surgical approach depending on the case.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

This is a case report of a 27-year-old male patient who presented with a free perforation in the posterior wall of the third portion of the duodenal frame and secondary retropneumoperitoneum without injuring any contiguous organ, after a medium-impact blunt abdominal trauma during a soccer game.

DISCUSSION

A laparotomy was performed, followed by duodenorraphy with Connell-Mayo suture and Lambert suture using vascular prolene in two planes. A nasogastric tube was placed up to the jejunum, and a Jackson-Pratt drain was placed in close to the duodenum next to the sutures. During hospitalization was found a positive bacterial culture of the peritoneal fluid hence received antibiotics, without complication.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to make a timely diagnosis with its respective individualized surgical approach and it must be managed as an emergency surgical procedure.

Duodenal Trauma in Children: What is the Status of Non-Operative Conservative Treatment?

Conservative treatment of duodenal trauma in children has long been the first line of treatment for duodenal wall hematomas. However, it has rarely been described in duodenal perforations. Our purpose is to highlight the possibility of conservative treatment in selected cases of duodenal perforation. In the period between 2009 and 2022, 6 children were treated for duodenal injury following abdominal blunt trauma in the pediatric surgical emergency department. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment are reported and analyzed. Three patients presented with duodenal hematomas, they were treated non-operatively with hospital stays between 12 and 20 days and good clinical outcome. One child presented with duodenal hematoma and retroperitoneal air bubbles; non-operative conservative treatment was carried with favorable results. The fifth patient had a duodenal perforation; he underwent a primary duodenal 2-layers closure. The last patient had a combination of duodenal hematoma and perforation involving 75% of the duodenal diameter for which he underwent a gastro-jejunostomy with pyloric exclusion. An isolated duodenal lesion can be subject to a conservative treatment whenever allowed by a stable clinical condition and the availability of appropriate clinical and radiological monitoring.

A Multispecialty Approach to the Identification and Diagnosis of Nonaccidental Trauma in Children

Child abuse is a preventable phenomenon of considerable concern resulting in significant child mortality and morbidity. We analyze various abuse lesions such as radiological (visceral and skeletal lesions and those associated with head trauma) and cutaneous (burns, bruises, bites, etc.) to enhance streamlined identification of injuries in cases of physical child abuse. For effective results, it is essential to remain mindful of all background factors, such as the caregiver setting and the prevalence of child maltreatment in the concerned community while acknowledging the possibility of natural causes (genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta and hemophilia, or acquired abnormalities) that can mimic NAT and cause confusion in diagnosis and treatment. The margin of error in cases of abuse is negligible, therefore, making its diagnosis a momentous as well as challenging clinical task. An ineffective diagnosis can have detrimental emotional consequences for the family and may even expose the child to future potentially fatal episodes of abuse. Hence, there is a need to direct special focus on the importance of accurate history taking and immediate, responsible reporting to authorities, as well as to child protective services. Therefore, considering the multifactorial approach this subject requires, this review aims to delve into prevalence statistics, various risk factors, and their effect on psychological health to offer a near-complete regulation to ensure an effective understanding of NAT on part of doctors, social workers, and other relevant authorities.

Large Duodenal Hematoma Causing an Ileus after an Endoscopic Duodenal Biopsy in a 6-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

Intramural duodenal hematoma (IDH) in children is a rare complication after esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is commonly described in patients with additional disorders or risk factors, such as coagulopathy. We present a case of a previously healthy 6-year-old boy with a large obstructing intramural duodenal hematoma and concomitant pancreatitis after an elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The patient presented with typical symptoms of an IDH, such as abdominal pain and distension, nausea and vomiting. IDH was diagnosed using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examination. Conservative management with gastric decompression using a nasogastric feeding tube, bowel rest, total parenteral nutrition and analgesia was performed. After three weeks, the patient was discharged from the hospital without any complaints. Interventional management of IDH in pediatric patients with a lack of response to conservative therapy or complicating IDH should be discussed in an interdisciplinary team.

High prevalence of non-accidental trauma among deceased children presenting at Level I trauma centers in the Netherlands

Purpose

Between 0.1—3% of injured children who present at a hospital emergency department ultimately die as a result of their injuries. These events are typically reported as unnatural causes of death and may result from either accidental or non-accidental trauma (NAT). Examples of the latter include trauma that is inflicted directly or resulting from neglect. Although consultation with a forensic physician is mandatory for all deceased children, the prevalence of fatal inflicted trauma or neglect among children is currently unclear.

Methods

This is a retrospective study that included children (0–18 years) who presented and died at one of the 11 Level I trauma centers in the Netherlands between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2019. Outcomes were classified based on the conclusions of the Child Abuse and Neglect team or those of forensic pathologists and/or the court in cases referred for legally mandated autopsies. Cases in which conclusions were unavailable and there was no clear accidental cause of death were reviewed by an expert panel.

Results

The study included 175 cases of childhood death. Seventeen (9.7%) of these children died due to inflicted trauma (9.7%), 18 (10.3%) due to neglect, and 140 (80%) due to accidents. Preschool children (< 5 years old) were significantly more likely to present with injuries due to inflicted trauma and neglect compared to older children (44% versus 6%, p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 5.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.66–12.65). Drowning accounted for 14 of the 18 (78%) pediatric deaths due to neglect, representing 8% of the total cases. Postmortem radiological studies and autopsies were performed on 37 (21%) of all cases of childhood death.

Conclusion

One of every five pediatric deaths in our nationwide Level I trauma center study was attributed to NAT; 44% of these deaths were the result of trauma experienced by preschool-aged children. A remarkable number of fatal drownings were due to neglect. Postmortem radiological studies and autopsies were performed in only one-fifth of all deceased children. The limited use of postmortem investigations may have resulted in missed cases of NAT, which will result in an overall underestimation of fatal NAT experienced by children.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12024-021-00416-7.

Traumatic duodenal injuries in children: a single-centre study

BACKGROUND

Traumatic duodenal injuries in children are rare, and few studies have documented duodenal injuries in children, especially in Australasia. This study assessed the mechanism, investigations, management and outcomes of children (aged <16 years) with duodenal injuries.

METHODS

Retrospective review was conducted over a 16-year period from a single paediatric trauma centre.

RESULTS

Sixteen cases of duodenal injuries were identified: 15 cases of blunt duodenal injury and only one case of penetrating injury. Motor vehicular accidents were the most common cause of injury, followed by auto-pedestrian injuries and handlebar injuries. Only grade I and II injuries were identified. Computed tomography aided diagnosis in all cases of blunt duodenal injuries, especially given the variable nature of symptoms. Eight patients underwent laparotomy, of whom five required duodenal repair. Three patients underwent primary repair with omental patch, one patient underwent primary repair with gastrostomy and one patient underwent two-layered repair with t-tube duodenostomy. There were no delays in operative management within 24 h and no complications identified.

CONCLUSION

In comparison to other paediatric trauma centres worldwide, the majority of duodenal injuries were low grade and attributed to blunt trauma. Computed tomography aided diagnosis in all cases of blunt duodenal injury. Primary repair of duodenal injuries was possible in the majority of cases requiring operative repair.

A case of pediatric duodenal transection caused by abuse successfully treated by duodenojejunostomy

Background

Abuse can be a cause of pediatric duodenal injury. Patients who have been injured by abuse tend to have delay before medical examination, they may therefore have especially poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 3‐year‐old boy presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with duodenal perforation. He was urgently transferred to our hospital for surgery. There was no clear history of trauma according to initial parent interviews, but old bruises were observed in several places. Paternal remarks about the injury mechanism were contradictory to bruit findings. Eventually, the mother reported daily paternal domestic violence against the patient. Duodenal perforation was considered to be caused by physical abuse, and emergent surgery was carried out. Intraoperative findings revealed transection at the horizontal part of the duodenum. Primary repair was difficult due to severe damage, so duodenojejunostomy was undertaken.

Conclusion

Duodenojejunostomy was successfully carried out as emergent surgery for severely damaged duodenal transection.

Surgical outcomes of pancreaticoduodenal injuries in children

PURPOSE

To examine surgical outcomes of children with pancreaticoduodenal injuries at a Quaternary Level I pediatric trauma center.

METHODS

We queried a prospectively maintained trauma database of a level one pediatric trauma center for all cases of pancreatic and/or duodenal injury from 2002 to 2017. Analysis was conducted using JMP 13.1.0.

RESULTS

170 children presented with pancreatic and/or duodenal injury. 13 (7.7%) suffered a combined injury and this group forms the basis for this report with mean ISS of 22.8 (± 15.1), RTS2 of 6.4(± 2.1), and median age of 6.6 (1.3-13.5) years. Child abuse (31%) and bicycle injuries (23%) were the most common mechanisms. 8/13 (61.5%) required operative intervention. Higher AAST pancreatic and duodenal injury grade (2.9 vs. 1.2, p = 0.05 and 3.6 vs. 1.4, p = < 0.01), lower RTS2 (7.84 vs. 5.49, p < 0.01), and lower GCS (9.6 vs. 15, p = 0.03) predicted operative intervention. 6/8 (75%) undergoing surgery survived to discharge with only (2/6) survivors suffering postoperative complications. Both mortalities were secondary to severe traumatic brain injury.

CONCLUSION

Surgical management of complex pancreaticoduodenal injury is an uncommon traumatic event that is associated with high injury severity, but survival occurs in most scenarios.

The Adult Pancreas in Trauma and Disease

The spectrum of traumatic and natural disease that can affect the adult pancreas is multiple and varied. Some entities are more commonly encountered in routine forensic pathology practice and the forensic pathologist needs to be very familiar with their pathological features and development from a pathophysiological perspective. However, many of the conditions are extremely rare and may never be encountered in the professional lifetimes of an individual pathologist. Still, forensic pathologists need to be aware of them in case they are one day faced with these entities as possible diagnoses to be established at postmortem examination. This can be the result of clinical concerns raised in life, potential natural disease explanations for unexpected biochemical results, and sudden, unexpected or otherwise unexplained deaths where criminal concern about the exogenous administration of a substance must be considered. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 8(2): 192-218.

Child protection medical service demonstration centers in approaching child abuse and neglect in Taiwan

Child abuse includes all forms of physical and emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child's health, development, or dignity. In Taiwan, the Child Protection Medical Service Demonstration Center (CPMSDC) was established to protect children from abuse and neglect. We further analyzed and compared the trends and clinical characteristics of cases reported by CPMSDC to evaluate the function of CPMSDC in approaching child abuse and neglect in Taiwan. We prospectively recorded children with reported child abuse and neglect in a CPMSDC in a tertiary medical center from 2014 to 2015. Furthermore, we analyzed and compared age, gender, scene, identifying settings, time of visits, injury type, injury severity, hospital admission, hospitalization duration, and outcomes based on the different types of abuse and the different settings in which the abuse or neglect were identified. Of 361 child abuse cases (mean age 4.8 ± 5.36 years), the incidence was highest in 1- to 6-year-old children (n = 198, 54.85%). Physical abuse and neglect were predominant in males, while sexual abuse was predominant in females (P < 0.001). Neglect was most common (n = 279, 75.85%), followed by physical (n = 56, 15.51%) and sexual abuse (n = 26, 7.2%). The most common identifying setting was the emergency department (n = 320, 88.64%), with neglect being most commonly reported. Head, neck, and facial injuries were more common in physically abused children than in neglected and sexual abused children (P < 0.005), leading to longer hospitalization (P = 0.042) and a higher Injury Severity Score (P = 0.043). There were more skin injuries in neglect (P < 0.001). The mortality rate was 2.49% (n = 9). The CPMSDC could enhance the ability, alertness, and inclination of professionals to identify suspected cases of child abuse, and to increase the rate of registry. Cases of physical abuse had a higher Injury Severity Score, longer duration of hospitalization, and more injuries of head, face, and neck compared with other types of abuse. The reported rate of neglect was highly elevated after the CPMSDC established during the study period. Recognition of neglect is not easy, but the consequent injury, especially asphyxia, may lead to mortality.

Ultrasound of the duodenum in children

Ultrasound is well suited for examining the pediatric duodenum, given the small size of the patients, the lack of ionizing radiation and high-resolution imaging potential. Technical considerations, normal anatomy, congenital and acquired pathology of the duodenum, and the advantages and limitations of US are discussed and illustrated in this review.

Pediatric abdominal injury patterns caused by "falls": A comparison between nonaccidental and accidental trauma

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Falling from a low height is the most common history given by caregivers of pediatric nonaccidental trauma (NAT) victims evaluated for blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). The purpose of this study is to compare the patterns of injuries seen in children with BAT who are victims of NAT with those seen after a fall-related incident.

METHODS

Trauma database query from regional pediatric trauma centers identified patients were who were evaluated for BAT resulting from either NAT or a fall. Study groups included patients younger than five years who were (1) victims or NAT, or (2) fall casualties.

RESULTS

Sixty-five NATs and 115 fall casualties were identified. NAT victims had higher ISS, had more severe head injuries according to AIS scores, had more hollow viscus injuries, and had more pancreatic injuries. Fall casualties were more likely to have solid organ injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

When evaluating children with a history of blunt abdominal trauma caused by a fall, suspicion for NAT is warranted if the child is younger than five years, has a hollow viscus, pancreatic, and/or severe head injury and has a high ISS. Likewise, isolated splenic or renal injury allays suspicion for NAT.

Pancreatico duodenectomy for pediatric combined duodenal, pancreatic and biliary trauma

Pancreaticoduodenal trauma in children is uncommon but carries high morbidity and mortality rates, especially when the diagnosis is delayed. A case of combined pancreatico duodenal and bile duct injury following blunt abdominal trauma is described which presented two days after injury. It highlights the extremes of surgical procedures that may be needed in massive blunt trauma.

Pancreatic and Duodenal Trauma in Children

Trauma is the leading cause of death in children of all ages. The most common site of injury in pediatric patients is the head followed by the extremities and the abdomen. Though less than 10% of admissions to the hospital are secondary to intra-abdominal injuries, mortality related to these injuries is not insignificant. Pancreatic and duodenal trauma occurs in 3 to 12% of the patients with abdominal injuries and can be associated with significant morbidity. The management of pancreatic and duodenal trauma in children is based mostly on adult data, but there is an increasing volume of research on the subject.

Large intraluminal ileal hematoma presenting as small bowel obstruction in a child

Intraluminal small bowel hematoma has been rarely reported in children, as a rare cause of small bowel obstruction. We present a case of an intraluminal ileal hematoma presenting as small bowel obstruction in a child. Computed Tomography (CT) indicated a large intraluminal hyperdense lesion in the distal ileum as the cause of small bowel obstruction. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) showed an echogenic mass-like lesion with multiple septa in the distal ileum. Small bowel obstruction due to a complicated cystic mass was provisionally diagnosed. Histopathologic examination of the resected mass suggested a submucosal ileal hematoma. Although intraluminal small bowel hematoma is rare in children, it can present as an intraluminal cystic mass and should be considered as a rare cause of small bowel obstruction. The US and CT findings of submucosal ileal hematoma could be useful for the diagnosis of such cases in the future.

Pediatric nonaccidental abdominal trauma: what the radiologist should know

Abdominal injury in nonaccidental trauma (NAT) is an increasingly recognized cause of hospitalization in abused children. Abdominal injuries in NAT are often severe and have high rates of surgical intervention. Certain imaging findings in the pediatric abdomen, notably bowel perforation and pancreatic injury, should alert the radiologist to possible abuse and incite close interrogation concerning the reported mechanism of injury. Close inspection of the imaging study is warranted to detect additional injury sites because these injuries rarely occur in isolation. When abdominal injury is suspected in known or speculated NAT, computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast material is recommended for diagnostic and forensic evaluation. Although the rate of bowel injury is disproportionately high in NAT, solid organs, including the liver, pancreas, and spleen, are most often injured. Adrenal and renal trauma is less frequent in NAT and is generally seen with multiple other injuries. Hypoperfusion complex is a constellation of abdominal CT findings that indicates current or impending decompensated shock and is most often due to severe neurologic impairment in NAT. Although abdominal injuries in NAT are relatively uncommon, knowledge of injury patterns and their imaging appearances is important for patient care and protection.

Elasticity of abdominal wall vessels in children: clinical implications in child abuse

BACKGROUND

Abdominal trauma secondary to non-accidental injury is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. It has been noted that children who have suffered abusive abdominal injuries often lack abdominal wall bruising. We hypothesize that children have highly elastic vessels that stretch instead of rupturing when the abdomen is punched. Our study investigates the degree of elasticity in abdominal wall vessels in young children.

METHODS

Twenty children aged less than 5 years undergoing routine hernia repair or orchidopexy were included in our study. Subcutaneous vessels were identified during the procedures. The vessels were measured at resting length and when stretched to maximum length prior to rupture. Samples of the vessels were then collected for histological examination.

RESULTS

On average, we were able to stretch the vessels to 3.4 times their resting length without rupture. Histology revealed that the vessel walls contained a high amount of elastin.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated a high degree of elasticity in the abdominal wall vessels of young children. This may help to explain why children do not bruise when hit in the abdomen. Our findings have potential implications for both clinical practitioners and paediatric surgeons involved in child abuse cases.

Child abuse - some aspects for neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons are mainly concerned with child abuse in cases of severe cranio-cerebral trauma. Aim of the present paper is to highlight the clinical picture and symptoms in cases of child abuse and our multidisciplinary approach to reveal a solid diagnosis. The detection of child abuse requires a high index of suspicion, especially in cases of subtle injuries. Besides reporting to the appropriate agencies primary goals are to terminate suspected abuse and to prevent further harm to the child. All this requires a confirmed diagnosis.

Duodenal perforation associated with norovirus and rotavirus gastroenteritis

Key Clinical Message

Norovirus (NoV) and rotavirus (RV) gastroenteritis are usually self-limiting. However, few pediatric cases of bowel perforation and no duodenal perforation with NoV gastroenteritis were reported. We describe two children with duodenal perforation due to NoV or RV gastroenteritis. Suspicion for this association enables prompt intervention, preventing lethal outcomes of these common infections.

A systematic review of abusive visceral injuries in childhood--their range and recognition

OBJECTIVES

To define what abusive visceral injuries occur, including their clinical features and the value of screening tests for abdominal injury among abused children.

METHODS

We searched 12 databases, with snowballing techniques, for the period 1950-2011, with all identified studies undergoing two independent reviews by trained reviewers, drawn from pediatrics, radiology, pediatric surgery and pathology. Of 5802 studies identified, 188 were reviewed. We included studies of children aged 0-18, with confirmed abusive etiology, whose injury was defined by computed tomography, contrast studies or at surgery/post mortem. We excluded injuries due to sexual abuse, or those exclusively addressing management or outcome.

RESULTS

Of 88 included studies (64 addressing abdominal injuries), only five were comparative. Every organ in the body has been injured, intra-thoracic injuries were commoner in those aged less than five years. Children with abusive abdominal injuries were younger (2.5-3.7 years vs. 7.6-10.3 years) than accidentally injured children. Duodenal injuries were commonly recorded in abused children, particularly involving the third or fourth part, and were not reported in accidentally injured children less than four years old. Liver and pancreatic injuries were frequently recorded, with potential pancreatic pseudocyst formation. Abdominal bruising was absent in up to 80% of those with abdominal injuries, and co-existent injuries included fractures, burns and head injury. Post mortem studies revealed that a number of the children had sustained previous, unrecognized, abdominal injuries. The mortality from abusive abdominal injuries was significantly higher than accidental injuries (53% vs. 21%). Only three studies addressed screening for abdominal injury among abused children, and were unsuitable for meta-analysis due to lack of standardized investigations, in particular those with 'negative' screening tests were not consistently investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Visceral injuries may affect any organ of the body, predominantly abdominal viscera. A non-motor vehicle related duodenal trauma in a child aged<five years warrants consideration of abuse as an etiology. In the absence of clear evidence for a screening strategy, clinical vigilance is warranted in any young child with suspected abuse for the presence of abdominal injury, where the absence of abdominal bruising or specific symptoms does not preclude significant injury.

Operative blunt duodenal injury in children: a multi-institutional review

BACKGROUND/AIM

Operative blunt duodenal injury in children is rare. The purpose of this analysis is to describe the clinical presentation, current management, and outcome of children with operative blunt duodenal injury.

METHODS

The American Pediatric Surgical Association Trauma Committee solicited data from its members on children with blunt intestinal injuries identified at autopsy or operation from January 2002 through August 2006.

RESULTS

Fifty-four children from 16 hospitals with operative blunt duodenal injuries were identified: 0.67 patients per hospital per year. The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle crashes (35%), bicycle crashes (22%), and nonaccidental trauma (20%). Forty-nine patients (90%) had positive physical examination findings on initial presentation, including peritonitis in 18 patients (33%). Twenty-five computed tomographic (CT) scans performed demonstrated free fluid, and 13 (52%), free air. Eleven CT scans used enteral contrast, and only 2 (18%) showed extravasation. Fifty-two patients (96%) survived to operation. The overall complication rate was 42%.

CONCLUSION

Operative blunt duodenal injury occurs less than once per year in the typical pediatric trauma center. Most of the patients have pertinent physical examination findings on arrival. Computed tomographic scans with enteral contrast do not seem to be helpful in diagnosis of duodenal injuries. Postoperative complications are frequent, but most children survive.

Management of duodenal injuries

Injuries to the duodenum pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the surgeon. Due to the intra- and extra-peritoneal location of the duodenum, the presentation can be overt or occult, and delay in diagnosis is associated with an increased mortality rate. A range of interventions have been described and this article reviews the relevant literature, highlights the salient points and suggests a treatment algorithm.

A life-threatening presentation of child physical abuse: jejunal perforation

Intra-abdominal injuries from impacts are the second most common cause of death in battered children. However, it may be difficult to distinguish between accidental abdominal injury and abuse, especially in the absence of other clinical findings. Published reports are also limited about the diagnosis of abuse in children with intra-abdominal injury. We report a case with jejunal perforation, multiple soft tissue injuries, and occipital fracture secondary to child abuse who was initially admitted to our hospital with complaint of fever, cough, and vomiting. An exploratory laparotomy revealed perforation of the jejunum, and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. The patient was evaluated by the hospital's child protective team to implement appropriate diagnostic and child-protective interventions, and the child was discharged home in 10 days.

Abdominal and pelvic CT in cases of suspected abuse: can clinical and laboratory findings guide its use?

BACKGROUND

Incomplete history and concern for occult injury in suspected child abuse occasionally results in CT screenings of the abdomen and pelvis. At our institution, we noted that these exams were infrequently positive.

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinical or laboratory criteria that may predict intra-abdominal injury and guide the use of abdominal and pelvic CT in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective review involved 68 children older than 36 months who had a CT of the abdomen/pelvis for suspected abuse. CT results and patient charts were reviewed for physical exam and historical and laboratory variables.

RESULTS

CTs were positive in 16% of patients (11/68). Hypoactive/absent bowel sounds (P = 0.01, specificity = 94.7%) and AST and ALT values greater than twice normal (P = 0.004 and P = 0.003 respectively, NPV = 93.6%) were significantly associated with positive CTs. Multiple abnormal physical exam or laboratory findings were also significantly associated with positive CTs (P = 0.03 and P = 0.002 respectively, specificity = 91.3% and NPV = 93.6% respectively).

CONCLUSION

CTs of the abdomen and pelvis are infrequently positive in cases of suspected abuse. To reduce radiation exposure, CTs should only be ordered if there are findings indicating that they may be positive. In our population, these findings include absent/hypoactive bowel sounds, LFTs greater than twice normal and ≥2 abnormal labs or physical exam findings.

Utility of hepatic transaminases to recognize abuse in children

OBJECTIVE

Although experts recommend routine screening of hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) in cases of potential child physical abuse, this practice is highly variable. Our objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of routine transaminase testing in young children who underwent consultation for physical abuse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study of all children younger than 60 months referred for subspecialty evaluation of possible physical abuse. The child abuse team at each center recommended screening transaminases routinely as standard of care for all cases with a reasonable concern for physical abuse. Sensitivity and specificity for transaminases and clinical examination findings to detect identified abdominal injuries were determined, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Of 1676 consultations, 1272 (76%) patients underwent transaminase testing, and 54 (3.2% [95% confidence interval: 2.4-4.2]) had identified abdominal injuries. Area under the curve for the highest level of either transaminase was 0.85. Using a threshold level of 80 IU/L for either AST or ALT yielded a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 82% (positive likelihood ratio: 4.3; negative likelihood ratio: 0.3). Of injuries with elevated transaminase levels, 14 (26%) were clinically occult, lacking abdominal bruising, tenderness, and distention. Several clinical findings used to predict abdominal injury had high specificity but low sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In the population of children with concern for physical abuse, abdominal injury is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, but it is not so common as to warrant universal imaging. Abdominal imaging should be considered for potentially abused children when either the AST or ALT level is >80 IU/L or with abdominal bruising, distention, or tenderness.

Pancreatic injury: accidental or nonaccidental

The diagnosis of abuse in a child with occult abdominal injuries is difficult. Not many patients with nonaccidental trauma present with a clear history of the injury. The absence of a reliable history in patients with nonaccidental trauma makes determination of an exact mechanism difficult. In most cases, patients present to the emergency department with inaccurate or misleading histories; some give no history of trauma, which may delay recognition of serious abdominal injuries. In addition, the child may have other injuries, such as neurologic or musculoskeletal, which divert attention from occult abdominal injuries. Pancreatic and duodenal injuries are considered specific for abuse. We report a child with pancreatic injury without an appropriate history of trauma, determined to be caused by nonaccidental trauma.

Duodenal hematoma after upper endoscopy and biopsy in a 4-year-old girl

We describe a 4-year-old girl who developed a duodenal hematoma after upper endoscopy and biopsy. Although rare, duodenal hematoma formation can occur after upper endoscopy and biopsy in otherwise healthy children. A young child presenting with a duodenal hematoma in the absence of a clear mechanism of either previous gastrointestinal procedures or injury to the abdomen should have an extensive evaluation to exclude child abuse. A thorough evaluation for other medical causes, such as a coagulopathy, should be performed simultaneously.

Accidental or inflicted?

The visible evidence of child physical abuse most often is minimal or nonexistent, and the children at greatest risk of becoming victims are those too young to verbalize the history. As pediatric clinicians, we must be able to recognize potential sequelae of abuse and the high-risk situations that lead to physical abuse; we also must acknowledge that victims of child physical abuse often have injuries at multiple locations and in multiple organ systems. As a routine part of pediatric practice, healthcare providers, through anticipatory guidance, try to maximize the child's safety in the home environment. With this goal in mind, healthcare providers must consider the possibility of physical abuse when faced with a child with a traumatic injury. While it is important to identify these inflicted injuries, our ultimate goal is to prevent their occurrence in the first place.

Pediatric trauma susceptibility to sepsis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to review how pediatric trauma may predispose children to sepsis.

DESIGN

The information discussed in this report is derived from a recent literature review of pediatric trauma and related topics and discussion at an international consensus conference on pediatric sepsis.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

There is a paucity of evidence on sepsis-related complications in pediatric trauma patients. Severe traumatic brain injury is a leading predisposing factor for sepsis complications. Excluding burn trauma, traumatically injured children without severe head injury rarely succumb to overwhelming sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with multiple traumatic injuries are frequently admitted to the intensive care unit, and because head injury is the most common ailment, unconscious patients with a combination of injuries that include head injury will regularly require mechanical ventilation and central venous access and are at risk for life-threatening nosocomial infections. Outside of pulmonary contusions, organ-specific causes of infection are infrequent.