Background: Non-accidental trauma (NAT) in children is a critical public health concern that often presents in emergency departments. Recognizing and quantifying the prevalence of such trauma is essential for improving pediatric care and implementing preventive strategies. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of non-accidental trauma among pediatric patients in an emergency department setting and to describe the demographic and injury characteristics associated with these cases. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 150 pediatric emergency visits at a tertiary care hospital over a 12-month period. Cases were identified as NAT based on clinical assessments, radiological findings, and team discussions involving pediatricians, radiologists, and social workers. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests for categorical data and t-tests for continuous variables to compare NAT and non-NAT groups. Results: Of the 150 emergency visits, 27 (18%) were identified as NAT. The mean age of children with NAT was significantly lower (6.4 ± 3.8 years) compared to those without NAT (8.1 ± 5.2 years; p=0.038). The most common injuries observed in NAT cases were bruises (77.8%), head injuries (29.6%), and fractures (22.2%). NAT cases also had a significantly longer average duration of stay in the emergency department compared to non-NAT cases (4.2 hours vs. 2.8 hours; p=0.001). Conclusion: The study identified a significant prevalence of non-accidental trauma in pediatric emergency visits. Younger children and those with specific injury patterns, such as bruises and head injuries, were more frequently associated with NAT. These findings underscore the need for vigilant screening and comprehensive care strategies in emergency settings to detect and manage non-accidental injuries in children effectively.

Non-Accidental Trauma, Pediatric Emergency, Injury Patterns