We conducted a database review of all patients treated at three affiliated pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation centers from 1984 to 1998, focusing on the incidence of gunshot wounds as the etiology of SCI. SCI was caused by gunshot wound in 139 of 1,199 patients (11.6%). From 1984-1986, this etiology ranged from 6.9%-10.1%, increasing to 19.5%-21.4% from 1992-1994 and decreasing to 5.0%-8.2% from 1996-1998. Chart reviews at one center showed that the average age of children sustaining firearm-related SCI was 11.6 years (range newborn to 19 years old) and 79.2% were male. The majority of patients sustained complete thoracic spine injuries. This study documents a recent decrease in firearm-related SCI among children treated at three affiliated pediatric SCI rehabilitation centers.

children, demographics, etiology, gunshot, paralysis, prevention, spinal cord injury
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