The polytraumatized or multiply injured child

10.1

In the severely injured infant and child the following age-specific facts should be kept in mind:

■ Larger head to body weight ratio (head often exposed to injury, neck injury)
■ Larger body surface area to body volume ratio (hypothermia)
■ More elastic thoracic wall (internal injury possible without external signs)
■ Thinner abdominal wall where abdominal organs are below the rib cage (liver, spleen injury)
■ Smaller total blood volume
■ Narrow airways
■ Long compensation of blood loss by tachycardia followed by rapid decompensation of circulatory status if left untreated

10.2

Child abuse is frequent: about 3%–7% of children under 18 years suffer from child abuse in some manner. The incidence and prevalence depend on the development of a country’s social service agencies and on the level of health professionals’ awareness of the problem. The estimated number of unreported cases is high. Child abuse affects children of all socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious boundaries. There is no gender preponderance. It occurs at any age, but infants and toddler have a higher risk than older children.