Trauma Commons^™

From Injury To Recovery: Clinical And Psychological Outcomes In Pediatric Trauma, Andrew M. Dlugosch

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Pediatric Trauma Trends Before And After Recreational Cannabis Legalization In Nevada: A Retrospective Repeated Cross-Sectional Study, Jenna Serr, Vidhani Goel, Roberto Sagaribay, Kavita Batra, Ami P. Shah

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Background: Cannabis legalization has raised concerns regarding its potential influence on injury patterns, particularly among children. However, evidence on pediatric trauma remains limited. Objective: To examine trends in pediatric trauma incidence, injury mechanisms, healthcare utilization, and socioeconomic characteristics before and after recreational cannabis legalization in Nevada. Methods: A retrospective repeated cross-sectional study of trauma registry data was conducted using pediatric trauma activations recorded between 2013 and 2023. Incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated using census data. Pre-legalization (2013–2016) and post-legalization (2017–2023) periods were compared using incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and bivariate tests. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Distressed …

Changing Practice: Optimizing Head Ct-Imaging In Pediatric Trauma Patients At A Community Level Ii Pediatric Trauma Center - A Quality Improvement Initiative, Matthew Daniel, Aaron Worthley, Sarah Johnson, Daniel Saad, Antonio Pepe, Eleah Porter

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Use Of An Electronic Medical Record Tool To Ensure Tertiary Survey Compliance In Pediatric Trauma Patients, Ryan T. Davis, Erica Surman, Begum Akay, Nathan Novotny, Anthony Stallion, Pavan Brahmamdam

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction:
The purpose of the tertiary survey is to ensure that traumatic injuries that may be missed during the primary and secondary survey are identified and treated accordingly. After a review, our trauma program identified a quality gap where tertiary surveys were not being documented. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the use of an electronic medical record tool, in conjunction with a reporting process, improved documentation of the tertiary survey in pediatric trauma patients.

Methods:
A review of the pediatric trauma database was performed. Patients < 16 years old who were admitted after level 1 or 2 activations or trauma evaluations were included. The study period was between January 2023 and January 2024. An Epicâ„¢ SmartPhrase was developed with input from the pediatric surgery team, pediatric trauma nurse manager, and the general surgery residents. The residents and pediatric surgery attendings were educated and the smartphrase was implanted July 2023. Reviews were made on a month-to-month basis and if a patient did not have a tertiary survey documented, emails to the trauma attending and residents of record were sent, notifying them of missed documentation of a tertiary survey.

Results:
Tertiary survey documentation compliance in the six months prior to …

Perspective: Restoring Rest-The Critical Role Of Sleep In Foster Care Well-Being, Jill Mcleigh, Anna Wani, Likhita Shaik

Health Status, Outcomes, and Literacy and Healthcare Utilization

In 2023, approximately 400,000 children were in foster care in the United States, a population disproportionately affected by trauma, instability, and systemic inequities.1 These children face chronic disruptions in sleep—an essential physiological process that underpins physical development, learning, emotional regulation, and overall health.²⁻⁴ Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are prevalent in this group and contribute to significant sleep disturbances through pathways of hyperarousal, stress dysregulation, and recurrent nightmares. 3,4 Understanding the interplay between foster care, social determinants of health (SDOH), and sleep health disparities highlights opportunities for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.

For questions about …

Prenatal Substance Exposure And Positive Developmental Delay Screening Among Patients In Foster Care, Lauren Malthaner, Jill Mcleigh, Gregory Knell, Katelyn Jetelina, Folefac Atem, Sarah Messiah

Behavioral Health/Developmental Delay

Prenatal substance exposure (PSE) is a known risk factor for negative birth outcomes and long-term health outcomes like neurodevelopmental problems. Children in foster care have increased exposure to PSE and higher proportions of developmental delay compared with the general population. It is unclear whether differences still exist among developmental delay screening among children in foster care with and without PSE.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Characteristics Of Pediatric Patients With Sports-Related Concussions: A Single Site Retrospective Review, Jose A. Cruz Ayala, Shahrukh Khan, Holly Monk, Emma Cole, Alison Smith, Scott Schultz, Lindsay Elliott, Jessica Zagory

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Sports-related concussion (SRC) cases have increased among children in the last decade. Differences in concussion symptoms, presentation, and follow-up care exist when comparing demographics. The aim of this study was to explore SRC within the pediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients ≤ 18 years old diagnosed with SRC at a New Orleans stand-alone children's hospital from January 2007 to December 2021 was performed. T-test and Fisher's exact test were used for relationship between outcomes and sports, demographics, setting, insurance, and follow-up care. RESULTS: Children who sustained SRC at practice were more likely to be male (p …

Stop The Bleed! Acute Epistaxis Management, Christopher R. Cannell

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

Epistaxis, the most common Otolaryngology-related emergency, is responsible for one in 200 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States (US) and one-third of otolaryngology visits.^1,11 Up to 60% of the population will experience epistaxis during their lifetime, and 6% -10 % will require medical intervention.^2,3 Epistaxis occurs in children and adults and has a seasonal variation. Although 85% of nosebleeds are idiopathic, they are more frequent in those on supplemental oxygen, anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, and in those with other conditions that may predispose them to bleeding. Most clinicians will encounter patients with acute epistaxis; therefore, it is …

Working With Foster Families: What Providers Should Know, The Rees-Jones Center For Foster Care Excellence

White Papers and Policy Briefs

Foster parents play a vital, yet often challenging role in the lives of children who have experienced trauma and instability. Navigating the healthcare system for children in foster care can be particularly complex and overwhelming, requiring understanding, collaboration, and a unique approach from healthcare professionals. This page offers insights and practical ideas for healthcare professionals to effectively support foster parents, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the children in their care.

For questions about this publication or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Ensuring The Health And Well-Being Of Children After Adoption, The Rees-Jones Center For Foster Care Excellence

White Papers and Policy Briefs

Children in foster care have higher rates of health concerns and healthcare utilization than their peers who have not experienced foster care. For example, one study found that children in foster care had 2.5- and 2.3-times higher odds of having a mental health diagnosis and developmental disability diagnosis, respectively. Data on our patient population supports these findings, revealing that 70.4% of our patients had chronic or complex chronic health conditions.

For questions about this publication or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Child Maltreatment And Behavioral Health Outcomes In Child Welfare: Exploring The Roles Of Severity And Polyvictimization, Lauren Malthaner, Jill Mcleigh, Gregory Knell, Katelyn Jetelina, Folefac Atem, Sarah Messiah

Behavioral Health/Developmental Delay

Child maltreatment and polyvictimization are known risk factors for long-term detrimental health and development outcomes, including behavioral health challenges. However, effects from specific types and combinations of maltreatments are unclear. This study examined the association between maltreatment or polyvictimization and behavioral health in a child welfare sample.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

The Impact Of Health Status On Health Care Utilization Of Children In Foster Care, Jill Mcleigh, Gunjan Singh, Rong Huang

Health Status, Outcomes, and Literacy and Healthcare Utilization

This study sought to understand the health status of children in foster care; the relationship between their health status and health care utilization; and demographic and placement factors associated with health care utilization.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Bayesian Varying-Effects Vector Autoregressive Models For Inference Of Brain Connectivity Networks And Covariate Effects In Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Yangfan Ren, Nathan Osborne, Christine B Peterson, Dana M Demaster, Linda Ewing-Cobbs, Marina Vannucci

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In this article, we develop an analytical approach for estimating brain connectivity networks that accounts for subject heterogeneity. More specifically, we consider a novel extension of a multi-subject Bayesian vector autoregressive model that estimates group-specific directed brain connectivity networks and accounts for the effects of covariates on the network edges. We adopt a flexible approach, allowing for (possibly) nonlinear effects of the covariates on edge strength via a novel Bayesian nonparametric prior that employs a weighted mixture of Gaussian processes. For posterior inference, we achieve computational scalability by implementing a variational Bayes scheme. Our approach enables simultaneous estimation of group-specific …

Barriers And Facilitators To Kinship Care In Texas: A Multi-Stakeholder, Mixed Methods Perspective, Lauren Malthaner, Jill Mcleigh, Hilda Loria, Erinne Conner, Mike Henson-Garcia

Caregiver Needs and Supports

Kinship caregivers face numerous barriers to providing care for children placed with them and limited facilitators to help ensure successful placements. Although the needs of kinship caregivers are being examined and prioritized in the legislature, operational and policy-level interventions are needed. Results from this study allow for interventions tailored to the needs of kinship caregivers in the State of Texas as identified by a multitude of stakeholder groups.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Investigating Markers For Intracranial Hemorrhage Severity: Insights From Cbc Changes And Beyond, Mckenzie Locker, Kasey Chelemedos, Nataly Apollonsky

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Probabilistic Workflow Modeling Of Transfused Injured Children And Adolescents At A Level 1 Trauma Center, Megan Krentsa, Travis M. Sullivan, Keyi Li, Elizabeth Matison, Waverly Gestrich-Thompson, Genevieve J. Sippel, Randall S. Burd, Aleksandra Sarcevic

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Challenges Of Implementing And Documenting Ottawa Ankle Rules In The Pediatric Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study, Emmalee M. Kugler, Michael Gillman, Olivia Toner

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

INTRODUCTION
Acute ankle sprains account for nearly 2% of visits to the pediatric emergency department (PED). The Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) were developed as a safe and effective clinical decision-making tool for detecting the need for radiographs in adults with acute ankle pain. OAR state radiographs are required with at least one of the following:

1. Inability to bear weight immediately following the injury and for four steps in the ED 2. Bony tenderness at the posterior edge of the lateral or medial malleolus

OBJECTIVE
Few prospective cohort studies have attempted to assess OAR pediatric populations. This study investigates the …

Associations Of Chronic Pain With Psychosocial Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Nidilrr And Va Tbi Model Systems Collaborative Project, Robin Hanks, Jessica M Ketchum, Mackenzie Peckham, Mitch Sevigny, Angelle M Sander, Aaron M Martin, Stephanie Agtarap, Cynthia L Beaulieu, Librada Callender, Flora M Hammond, Jean Lengenfelder, Amanda R Rabinowitz, William C Walker, Jeanne M Hoffman, Cynthia Harrison-Felix, Risa Nakase-Richardson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: To examine the differences in participation, life satisfaction, and psychosocial outcomes among individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) endorsing current, past, or no chronic pain.

SETTING: Community.

PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred four TBI Model Systems participants 1 to 30 years of age postinjury classified into 1 of 3 groups based on their pain experience: current pain, past pain, no pain completed a Pain Survey at their usual follow-up appointment which on average was approximately 8 years postinjury.

DESIGN: Multisite, cross-sectional observational cohort study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic and injury characteristics and psychosocial outcomes (ie, satisfaction with life, depression, …

Disparities In Computed Tomography Utilization For Pediatric Blunt Trauma: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Comparing Pediatric And Non-Pediatric Trauma Centers, Amir Hassankhani, Parya Valizadeh, Melika Amoukhteh, Payam Jannatdoust, Nikoo Saeedi, Paniz Sabeghi, Delaram J Ghadimi, Jennifer H Johnston, Ali Gholamrezanezhad

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pediatric blunt trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and computed tomography (CT) imaging is vital for accurate evaluation and management. Pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) have selective CT practices, while non-PTCs may differ, resulting in potential variations in CT utilization. The objective of this study is to delineate disparities in CT utilization for pediatric blunt trauma patients between PTCs and non-PTCs. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following established guidelines, searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 3, 2023. All studies examining CT utilization in the management of pediatric (aged < 21 years) blunt trauma and specifying the type of trauma center(s) were included, and data were extracted and analyzed using STATA software version 17.0. An analysis of 30 studies revealed significant variations in CT scan utilization among pediatric blunt trauma patients across different types of trauma centers. PTCs exhibited lower pooled rates of abdominopelvic CT scans (35.4% vs. 44.9%, p < 0.01), cranial CT scans (36.9% vs. 42.9%, p < 0.01), chest CT scans (14.5% vs. 25.4%, p < 0.01), and cervical spine CT scans (23% vs. 45%, p < 0.01) compared to adult or mixed trauma centers (ATCs/MTCs). PTCs had a pooled rate of 54% for receiving at least one CT scan, while ATCs/MTCs had a higher rate of 69.3% (p < 0.05). The studies demonstrated considerable heterogeneity. These findings underscore the need to conduct further research to understand the reasons for the observed variations and to promote appropriate imaging usage, minimize radiation exposure, and encourage collaboration between pediatric and adult trauma centers.

Reducing Stress After Trauma (Reset): Study Protocol For A Randomized, Controlled Trial Of An Online Psychoeducational Program And Video Therapy Sessions For Children Hospitalized After Trauma, Heather T Keenan, Shari L Wade, Devi Miron, Angela P Presson, Amy E Clark, Linda Ewing-Cobbs

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress symptoms develop in a quarter to half of injured children affecting their longer-term psychologic and physical health. Evidence-based care exists for post-traumatic stress; however, it is not readily available in some communities. We have developed an eHealth program consisting of online, interactive educational modules and telehealth therapist support based in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, the Reducing Stress after Trauma (ReSeT) program. We hypothesize that children with post-traumatic stress who participate in ReSeT will have fewer symptoms compared to the usual care control group.

METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the ReSeT …

Multimodal Analysis Of Secondary Cerebellar Alterations After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Finian Keleher, Hannah M Lindsey, Rebecca Kerestes, Houshang Amiri, Robert F Asarnow, Talin Babikian, Brenda Bartnik-Olson, Erin D Bigler, Karen Caeyenberghs, Carrie Esopenko, Linda Ewing-Cobbs, Christopher C Giza, Naomi J Goodrich-Hunsaker, Cooper B Hodges, Kristen R Hoskinson, Andrei Irimia, Marsh Königs, Jeffrey E Max, Mary R Newsome, Alexander Olsen, Nicholas P Ryan, Adam T Schmidt, Dan J Stein, Stacy J Suskauer, Ashley L Ware, Anne L Wheeler, Brandon A Zielinski, Paul M Thompson, Ian H Harding, David F Tate, Elisabeth A Wilde, Emily L Dennis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to cause widespread neural disruption in the cerebrum. However, less is known about the association of TBI with cerebellar structure and how such changes may alter executive functioning.

Objective: To investigate alterations in subregional cerebellum volume and cerebral white matter microstructure after pediatric TBI and examine subsequent changes in executive function.

Design, setting, and participants: This retrospective cohort study combined 12 data sets (collected between 2006 and 2020) from 9 sites in the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics Through Meta-Analysis Consortium Pediatric TBI working group in a mega-analysis of cerebellar structure. Participants with TBI or …

Design And Development Of A Clot Burst Pressure Device To Investigate Resuscitation Strategies, Atharwa R Mankame, Jacob B Schriner, Max A Skibber, Mitchell J George, Jessica C Cardenas, Charles S Cox, Brijesh S Gill

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: A reduction in clot strength is a hallmark feature of trauma-induced coagulopathy. A better understanding of clot integrity can optimize resuscitation strategies. We designed a device to gauge clot strength by pressurizing fluids over a formed clot and measuring the pressure needed to dislodge the clot. We hypothesized that this device could distinguish between clots formed in hypocoagulable and hypercoagulable states by observing differences in the clot burst pressure.

Methods: Whole blood from healthy volunteers was collected into sodium citrate tubes and was treated with heparin or fibrinogen to generate clots in a hypocoagulable or hypercoagulable state, respectively. Small …

Identification Of Factors In Moderate-Severe Tbi Related To A Functional Decline In Cognition Decades After Injury, Christian Lobue, Jeff Schaffert, Kristen Dams-O'Connor, Zinat Taiwo, Angelle Sander, Umesh M Venkatesan, Therese M O'Neil-Pirozzi, Flora M Hammond, Kristin Wilmoth, Kan Ding, Kathleen Bell, C Munro Cullum

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a functional decline in cognitive activities decades after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (m-sTBI) might relate to injury features and/or lifetime health factors, some of which may emerge as consequences of the injury.

DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the TBI Model Systems National Database, a prospective, multi-center, longitudinal study of patients with m-sTBI.

SETTING: TBI Model Systems Centers.

PARTICIPANTS: Included were 732 participants rated on the cognitive subscale of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM Cognitive), a metric for everyday cognitive skills, across 3 time points out to 20 years (visits at 2-, 10-, and 20-year follow-ups; N=732).

INTERVENTIONS: …

Trauma Center Designation Effects On Clinical Outcomes In Pediatric Dog Bites: A Retrospective Study, Jessy Feng, Sabrina Orta, Alejandro Aquino, Lori Berry, Demba Fofana, Paul Berry

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Clinical outcomes associated with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) trauma center designation have been examined for many conditions. However, we sought to analyze the association between ACS pediatric trauma center designation and outcomes following pediatric dog bite trauma cases, which has rarely been studied.

Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried to identify pediatric (0-19y) dog bite trauma patients admitted to ACS pediatric level I or II trauma centers from 2007-2016. Chi-Squared and Odds Ratio statistical analyses were used to compare the outcomes.

Results:We identified 6,196 pediatric dog bite trauma patients treated at ACS level …

The Dosing Of Mobile-Based Just-In-Time Adaptive Self-Management Prompts For Caregivers: Preliminary Findings From A Pilot Microrandomized Study, Jitao Wang, Zhenke Wu, Sung Won Choi, Srijan Sen, Xinghui Yan, Jennifer A Miner, Angelle M Sander, Angela K Lyden, Jonathan P Troost, Noelle E Carlozzi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Caregivers of people with chronic illnesses often face negative stress-related health outcomes and are unavailable for traditional face-to-face interventions due to the intensity and constraints of their caregiver role. Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) have emerged as a design framework that is particularly suited for interventional mobile health studies that deliver in-the-moment prompts that aim to promote healthy behavioral and psychological changes while minimizing user burden and expense. While JITAIs have the potential to improve caregivers' health-related quality of life (HRQOL), their effectiveness for caregivers remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the dose-response …

How Did That Get There? A Case Series Of Adolescent Foreign Bodies, Justin Ian Hanson, Paul Bomar, Sarah Kleist, Denver Rogalla, Lori Crihfield, Scott Gutovitz

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Pediatric foreign bodies (FBs) come in many shapes and sizes, and the method by which they enter the body can greatly impact the level of acuity at presentation. Most FBs in children are found in those younger than 5 years old, but the following 3 cases were found in adolescent patients.

Case Presentation

We report on 3 adolescent patients who presented to a single community-based emergency department with the chief complaint of abdominal pain and were found to have complications of abdominal FBs. If undiagnosed, the initial indolent courses of FBs can lead to serious complications, as shown in …

Pediatric Firearm Injury Epidemiology At A Level 1 Trauma Center From 2019 To 2021: Including Time Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cynthia Orantes, Hei Kit Chan, Daniel Walter, Summer Chavez, Irma T Ugalde

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Firearms are a leading cause of death in children. The demand for firearms increased following COVID-19 "stay-at home orders" in March 2020, resulting in record-breaking firearm sales and background checks. We aim to describe the changes in pediatric firearm-related injuries, demographics, and associated risk factors at a Level 1 trauma center in Houston before and during the COVID 19 pandemic.

RESULTS: The total number of pediatric firearm-related injury cases increased during March 15th to December 31st, 2020 and 2021 compared to the same time period in 2019 (104 verses 89 verses 78). The demographic group most affected across years …

Caregivers Of Youth In Foster Care In Texas And Their Role In Contraception Decision-Making For Adolescents In Care, Shelby Edmondson, Ana Belen Conrado, Hilda Loria, Jill Mcleigh, Jasmin Tiro, Simon Lee, Jenny Francis

Caregiver Needs and Supports

Few studies address the experiences of caregivers of adolescents in foster care. This study highlights a range of caregiver attitudes about contraception for adolescents in care. Provider training regarding contraception should include strategies to manage caregiver beliefs and extreme reactions to contraception use among youth in care.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Pediatric Facial Fractures In Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Annie Glenney, Zhazira Irgebay, Meeti Mehta, Joseph Mocharnuk, Janina Kueper, Lucas A. Dvoracek, Justin Schreiber, Joseph Losee, Jesse Goldstein

St. Chris Research Day

No abstract provided.

Maximizing Patient Benefit In Interfacility Transfer For The Management Of Pediatric Hand Trauma, Annie Glenney, Zainab Balogun, Meeti Mehta, Shirley Liu, Vivian Wang, Lucille Cheng, Darya Fadavi, Alexander Davit Iii

St. Chris Research Day

No abstract provided.