title: Pediatric issues in multisystem trauma.
abstract: Pediatric trauma is a national epidemic. It is the leading killer of children between the ages of 1 and 14 years, and is a major cause of disabling injuries. This is a major concern to society when one considers not only the tragedy to the family, but the implications of the loss of work potential, the length and cost of rehabilitation, and the effects on growth and development. Children have been shown to have better potential for recovery than adults, especially with head injuries. This potential can and must be maximized by expert nursing care. Nursing care includes precise assessment, formulation of nursing diagnoses based on assessment, and interventions guided by the appropriate nursing diagnosis. Research has demonstrated the positive impact nursing care has on the trauma patient; more studies are needed, especially for the pediatric trauma victim. Nurses are in a position to provide leadership in the area of pediatric injury prevention, and can educate legislators and the public about how to manage this public health epidemic. Children are our society's most precious resource. This resource can be protected by further research in all areas of pediatric trauma, including trauma prevention, resuscitation, and nursing interventions to further maximize the outcome.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Moloney-Harmon
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D010371:Pediatric Nursing