Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Multicenter Study
Predictors and outcomes of pediatric firearm injuries treated in the emergency department: Differences by mechanism of intent.
Firearm injuries among children are a major clinical and public health concern and one of the leading causes of pediatric fatalities. Our objective was to investigate differences in predictors and clinical outcomes between self-inflicted, violent, and unintentional pediatric firearm injuries for patients who present to pediatric emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ Self-inflicted, violent, and unintentional firearm injuries in children had distinct demographic risk factors and clinical and utilization outcomes. Targeted prevention and intervention efforts should be developed to reduce the incidence and severity of these injuries.