Hospital Admissions for Abusive Head Trauma Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Several studies have demonstrated a decrease in the occurrence of child abuse in the US since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding has generated concern for missed cases due to the initial lockdowns and lack of childcare resources. Determining the association of the pandemic on hospitalizations for severe forms of abuse is essential to focus preventive efforts.

Objective

To examine trends in abusive head trauma (AHT) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, setting, and participants

Retrospective, multicenter, repeated cross-sectional study, conducted January 1, 2016, through April 30, 2022, with data from tertiary care children's hospitals and contributors to the Pediatric Health Information System. Data were obtained for 2380 hospitali

SUBMITTER: Maassel NL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10594171 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature