External Validation of a Pediatric Decision Rule for Blunt Abdominal Trauma

External Validation of a Pediatric Decision Rule for Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Traumatic injuries are the number one cause of death from ages 1-18, 13% of which occur secondary to blunt mechanisms to the abdomen. CT scan is the best imaging tool to screen for intra-abdominal injuries according to The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. A normal CT after blunt abdominal trauma has a high negative predictive value for intra-abdominal injuries requiring intervention. Unfortunately the use of CT scans in children can increase the risk of cancer development. Thus, PECARN established a decision rule designed to assess the need for abdominal CT scan in children following blunt trauma.