Penetrating assaults in children: Often non-fatal near-miss events with opportunities for prevention in the UK

IntroductionMedia reports portray a growing problem of gun and stab assaults amongst UK children. Recent legislative changes aim to increase integration between services and protect children better. Child victims of gun or stab assaults are at increased risk of reinjury and are therefore vital targets for interventions shown to be effective at preventing violent injury. There is currently a paucity of data with which to inform public debate, guide policy and develop prevention strategies. We therefore aimed to provide contemporary data on the epidemiology and clinical outcomes for intentional gun and stab injuries in children, using a large UK city as a model environment and also to ascertain whether interventions to prevent violent injury are currently in routine use in a sample of UK urban paediatric EDs.MethodsA retrospective case series analysis was performed of children (<16 years) attending Emergency Departments (EDs) in a typical major UK city with high levels of deprivation. In addition, we undertook a qualitative survey of a sample of UK urban paediatric EDs regarding their use of violent injury prevention strategies in children.ResultsContrary to media reports and data from London, rates of gun and stab assault remained unchanged through the study (2003–2008). Although tragic fatal injury can occur, the majority of injuries were minor, with most children not requiring admission. Of those admitted, a minority needed surgery (mainly wound debridement and closure). Socioeconomically deprived, adolescent boys appear to be particularly at risk, with attacks at weekends and in public spaces beyond home and school being more common. Interventions to prevent violent reinjury are not currently employed in paediatric EDs in the 15 most populated urban areas of the UK.ConclusionsPatient safety literature emphasises the need to identify near miss events. Media reports of tragic child deaths due to gunshot and stabbing are actually accompanied by large numbers of minor wounds that we should see as near miss events. Measures shown to reduce reinjury in these high-risk groups could now be pursued in the UK for patient safety and child protection purposes.