Background: Blunt abdominal injury following trauma is quite common in childhood. It may be responsible for major mortality and morbidity depending upon the pattern and presentation of the injury. The aim of our research was to study the pattern, presentation and prognosis of visceral injuries in children afflicted with blunt abdominal trauma. Material and Methods: It was a prospective study conducted over a period of two-and-half years during which a total of 28 children with some form of intra abdominal injury following blunt trauma were studied. Detailed demographic and clinical profiles of the patients were noted. The mechanism of injury, type and grade of visceral injuries and their management were studied. Results: There were 24 males and 4 females children (M: F ratio of 6:1) with some form of intra-abdominal injury. The mean age was 6.8 years. The most common form of injury was motor vehicle accident (53.5%). Around 7% of children suffered polytrauma. Ultrasound detected only 57% of the injuries. The liver was the most commonly injured solid visceral organ in children. Non-operative management was successful in all the patients with solid visceral injury. Conclusions: Solid organ injury is much more common than hollow visceral injury with liver being the most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ. Road traffic accident is the most common mechanism of injury. Ultrasound examination in blunt trauma is neither very specific nor sensitive. CT scan gives the accurate details of visceral injury but carries risk of radiation. Nonoperative management is the mainstay of treatment even in high grade solid organ injuries while operative intervention is required for most of the bowel injury.

Keywords: Blunt Trauma; Children; Visceral Injuries.