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Pediatric Pressure Injury- Little pitchers have big ears
Ciara Brown BS., Cindy Demniak RN, Cristiane Ueno, MD.
West Virginia University, Morgantown WV
2018-02-02
Presenter: Jennifer Rokosz
Affidavit:
I certify that the material proposed for presentation in this abstract has not been published in any scientific journal or previously presented at a major meeting. The submitting and presenting author of the work for this project has predominately been accomplished through their efforts. She was responsible for the majority of drafting the abstract text with the assistance and guidance of the more senior authors on the abstract.
Director Name: Aaron Mason, MD acmason@hsc.wvu.edu
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
The prevalence of pressure injury in the pediatric population is reported in some studies to be upwards of 35%. While robust literature exists for adult pressure injury development, the literature regarding this topic in the pediatric population is limited, and may contribute to decreased awareness by health care workers. Plastic surgeons are consulted to treat pressure injuries or manage its wounds. Although the treatment is similar to adults, there are differences in anatomy and physiology of pediatric patients. They have unique risk factors and develop injuries in locations that differ from adults. Especially in newborns and infants, the head is most often affected. Additionally, research suggests that greater than 50% of pediatric pressure injuries may be medical device-related. Pressure injury identification, intervention and management in the pediatric patient, especially in patients requiring medical devices, are critical in providing optimal care.
We present a brief review of the literature and a case series of medical device-related pressure injuries in the pediatric population in a tertiary hospital. Ages varied from 78 days to 16 months old. One patient presented with a leg pressure injury secondary to casting while three other patients presented with occipital (two) and tracheostomy-related pressure injuries. We suggest that risk assessment and appropriate pressure injury prevention protocols be implemented in the inpatient pediatric setting to increase awareness and improve care in this population. Further, we propose the development of a quality improvement project to increase pressure injury awareness in the pediatric population.
