Gunshot wounds in children under 10 years of age. A new epidemic
G. J. Ordog, J. Wasserberger, I. Schatz, D. Owens-Collins, K. English, S. Balasubramanian and T. Schlater
King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Before 1980 we had not treated any children with gunshot wounds who were
younger than 10 years of age, but the number has increased dramatically
each year since then. Thirty-four children younger than 10 years of age
were treated for gunshot wounds from 1980 to 1987. Sociologic and
epidemiologic data were assessed by a child-abuse team and police. Other
studies have concluded that gunshot wounds in young children were usually
caused by unintentional injury, child abuse, or neglect. From our present
study we add a further, and very disturbing, category, that of attempted or
intentional pediatric homicide. The children in this category were shot in
retaliation for gang activities of their older siblings. This study
demonstrates that the majority of our patients' childhood gunshot wounds
were related to gang violence and retaliation, the availability of handguns
in the home, and child neglect. The prevalence of childhood gunshot wounds
in the inner city is increasing dramatically.
