Physical problems and traumatic events in early childhood

Early childhood trauma exposure is associated with poor physical functioning, poor health-related quality of life, greater use of health services, and poor long-term physical health outcomes. Studies have shown that childhood trauma has long-term effects in future life. The purpose of this research was to study the experience of physical injuries and referral to the emergency room in childhood trauma. A community-based cross-sectional was conducted ۴۱۵ parents of young children (between ۳ to ۸ years old). Traumatic events were evaluated by the Traumatic Events Screening Questionnaire and the revised TESI-PRR parent questionnaire was used. Three levels of exposure were distinguished low, moderate and severe trauma. Separate questions were asked about emergency room referrals and medications the child was taking, and the results were analyzed through logistic regression. The research sample showed that sixty-four percent of children have experienced trauma at least once, and among them, ۵۷ percent of children with trauma experience had experienced between ۲ to ۴ traumatic events. Exposure to family violence accounted for ۲۶%, accidents for ۴۱%, separation from a caregiver for ۴۸%, witnessing threats and family violence for ۲۹%. These children often show health related problems. They reported problems such as asthma (۲۵%), ear infections (۳۲%), digestive problems (۳۸%), and ۷۸% were referred to the emergency room and needed medication. Children who were exposed to severe and direct trauma were ۳ times more referred to the emergency room than children who were indirectly exposed to trauma. Children who did not have common signs of trauma such as fractures were less likely to receive a trauma diagnosis. Since trauma has long-term effects on the lives of injured children, it is necessary to provide methods such as training to children and their parents to care for and prevent long-term injuries. The emergency room is one of the places that can play a vital role in identifying and helping injured children, and it is necessary for the emergency room caregivers to show a higher sensitivity to the signs of children's trauma.