American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Trauma Society, and the Society of Trauma Nurses Call for Systems Approach to Prevent and Provide Care to Children with Injuries

Many hospitals are not equipped to treat children with injuries, according to health organizations seeking coordination of care at local, regional, state and national levels.  

ITASCA, IL--More children and youth die from injuries than from cancer, birth defects, or other early life health issues combined -- a public health concern that demands a systems approach. 

A new policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Trauma Society and the Society of Trauma Nurses outlines the most effective ways to provide care for children with injuries. The statement, “Systems-Based Care of the Injured Child,” and an accompanying technical report provides recommendations on emergency response, hospital treatment, rehabilitation therapies and follow-up care.  

The statement and technical report will be published simultaneously in the September 2025 issues of Pediatrics, the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, and Journal of Trauma Nursing. All journals will publish the policy and report online Aug. 18. 

“Children are not little adults, and many hospitals aren’t fully equipped to care for them in cases of injury and trauma,” said Katherine T. Flynn-O’Brien, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACS, lead author of the statement. “This can lead to worse outcomes—or even preventable deaths.

Children who survive serious injuries also may face long-term physical, emotional, and mental health challenges.” 

National and state emergency care systems must consider children’s unique needs so that no matter where a child is injured, they get timely, appropriate care, according to the organizations.  

“A systems-based approach to pediatric trauma care ensures that, regardless of where a child is injured, there is a reliable pathway to timely, appropriate care delivered by a capable and coordinated team,” said Patricia Morrell, MHA, BSN, RN-BC, President of the Pediatric Trauma Society.  “This approach is foundational in improving outcomes for injured children.” 

Access to care isn’t equal. Some children face barriers to getting the high-quality trauma care they need, depending on where they live or other factors.  

“There is an urgent need for cohesive, coordinated trauma systems that are specifically designed to meet the needs of injured children,” said Elizabeth Atkins, MSN, RN, TCRN, President of the Society of Trauma Nurses. “This policy statement outlines lifesaving, evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes by addressing the unique challenges faced by pediatric patients across the full continuum of trauma care. STN fully supports its widespread adoption to ensure every child receives timely, equitable, and high-quality care—no matter where they live.” 

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Trauma Society, and the Society of Trauma Nurses also recommend: 

• The unique needs of injured children and their families should be integrated into trauma systems and disaster planning at the local, state, regional, and national levels.  
• Ongoing support from state and federal governments is needed to improve trauma systems, train providers, support families, and research better ways to care for injured children.  
• Emergency departments throughout the United States should refer to pediatric readiness guidelines to facilitate appropriate care for all children.  
• Specialized pediatric trauma centers are essential components of trauma systems and should provide support and guidance to non-pediatric and non-trauma centers as part of their outreach mission.  
• National organizations with a special interest in pediatric trauma should work together to ensure pediatric trauma care is multidisciplinary and collaborative to provide the highest quality of care.  
• Pediatric trauma care teams should actively work to provide equitable care to all injured children.  

Policy statements and technical reports created by AAP are written by medical experts, reflect the latest evidence in the field, and go through several rounds of peer review before being approved by the AAP Board of Directors and published in Pediatrics. 

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American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. 

Pediatric Trauma Society is a professional organization for all healthcare providers dedicated to improving outcomes for injured children through the development of optimal care guidelines, education, research and advocacy. PTS is committed to serve as the resource for both pediatric and adult trauma care providers with the goal of improving pediatric trauma care regardless of where injured children are cared for. 

Society of Trauma Nurses 

The Society of Trauma Nurses is a professional nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote optimal and equitable trauma care to all people through initiatives focused on trauma nurses related to prevention, education and collaboration with other healthcare disciplines. For more information, visit www.traumanurses.org.