ABSTRACT

Trauma is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in pediatric population. Following the head and extremities, abdomen is the third most commonly injured region in children. Abdo-minal traumas have a mortality rate as high as 8.5%. Children have anatomical, physiological and psychological differences from adults. These differences make them more vulnerable to major injuries and require a different management. This article reviews typical clinical signs, evaluation, and treatment of children with suspected abdominal injuries following trauma.

Keywords: abdominal trauma, blunt trauma, children, penetrating trauma