I'm a Little Refugee in ED: Trauma Exposure and Outcomes in Refugee Children

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the trauma mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of refugee children presenting to the emergency department (ED) due to physical injuries. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the ED Duzce University school of Medicine Hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024. Pediatric patients under the age of 18, identified as refugees or temporary asylum seekers and admitted due to physical trauma, were included. Data regarding demographics, trauma mechanisms, clinical and laboratory findings, and outcomes were analyzed. Psychological trauma cases were excluded. Children who are also foreign nationals but who entered the country for reasons other than asylum, such as work, travel, or education, are excluded. Results: A total of 167 patients were included. The median age was 11 years (IQR: 4–14), and 37.1% were female. The most frequent trauma mechanisms were falls (45.5%), play-related accidents (16.2%), physical assault (13.8%), and traffic accidents (13.8%). Hospitalized patients were younger (7.5 vs. 12 years, p=0.014), had higher ambulance usage (62.5% vs. 14.3%, p