SPINAL-CORD INJURY IN YOUTH

To identify special characteristics of the pediatric spinal cord-injur ed (SCI) population, we analyzed a database of 1,770 traumatic SCI pat ients; 88 (5%) fell into the true pediatric subgroups: 0-12 years (n = 26) and 13-15 years (n = 62) at time of injury. Differences between a ge groups were identified with regard to demographics, neurologic char acteristics, associated injuries and complications, and management. Mo de level of bony injury was C2 in preteens, C4 in teens, and C4-C5 in adults. Scoliosis developed far more frequently in children, particula rly preteens (23%), than in adults (5%). Violent etiologies, predomina ntly gunshots, accounted for a disproportionate share of injuries to p reteens (19%) and African-Americans (28%), as compared with adults (12 %) and Caucasians (7%). This last finding. underscores the urgent need to mount a response to the nationwide proliferation of gunshot-relate d SCI in children and minorities.