Other common causes of pediatric SCI include accidental fall (14 percent), firearm injury (9 percent) and sports injury (7 percent). Alcohol and drugs were involved in 30 percent of all cases.
"Our findings reinforce the need to educate teenagers on the importance of taking safety precautions when operating a motor vehicle and the tragic consequences that can result from the irresponsible use of alcohol and drugs," says Dr. Michael G. Vitale, chief of the Pediatric Spine Service at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and the Herbert Irving Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also director of the Division of Pediatric Outcomes at the International Center for Health Outcomes and Innovation Research (InCHOIR).
The study additionally found that boys are more than twice (2.79) as likely to experience SCI than girls; African-Americans are at greater risk than whites (1.53); and Hispanics and especially Asians are at lower risk than whites (0.87 and 0.36, respectively).
"The study set out to identify specific high-risk populations with the goal of improving the prevention and treatment of this traumatic injury," adds Dr. Vitale.
SCI is defined as an acute traumatic injury of the spinal cord that results in varying degrees of motor or sensory issues. Although SCIs account for only a small percentage of all injuries, severe cases may require long-term medical treatment and strenuous rehabilitation for the patient, which can impose emotional stresses on family and friends.
The study's data sources include the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). The data reported represent the years 1997–2000.
The study's co-authors include Dr. David P. Roye (chief of the pediatric orthopaedic service at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and the Livingston Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons), Jordan M. Goss, B.A., and Hiroko Matsumoto, M.A.
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Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian
Ranked
by U.S.News & World Report as one of the top six children's
hospitals in the country, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of
NewYork-Presbyterian offers the best available care in every area of
pediatrics—including the most complex neonatal and critical care,
and all areas of pediatric subspecialties—in a family-friendly
and technologically advanced setting. Building a reputation for more
than a century as one of the nation's premier children's hospitals,
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian is
affiliated with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,
and is New York City's only hospital dedicated solely to the care of
children and the largest provider of children's health services in the
tri-state area with a long-standing commitment to its community. Morgan
Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian is also a major
international referral center, meeting the special needs of children
from infancy through adolescence worldwide.