Sentinel Injuries in Emergency Departments and Subsequent Serious Injury in Children.

ABSTRACT:

Study objective

Sentinel injuries in young children are minor injuries that can raise suspicion of physical abuse. Although early identification is critical, widespread screening of patients can incur unintended harm to both children and their families. We determined the frequency of serious abusive injury within 12 months following an emergency department (ED) encounter for a sentinel injury.

Methods

Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State ED and Inpatient Databases, we identified children 0 to 24 months of age with an ED diagnosis of a sentinel injury between 2014 and 2019. Our primary outcome was serious abusive injury (admission for serious injury or death with a child abuse diagnosis) within 12 months of a sentinel injury ED visit.

Results

Among 2

SUBMITTER: Mitrano SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12412898 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature