SIPA Poorly Predicts Outcomes in Young Pediatric Trauma Patients

Introduction

The shock index pediatric adjusted score (SIPA) predicts the need for blood transfusion (BT), hemorrhage control interventions (HCI), morbidity/mortality among older pediatric trauma patients but is less predictive in younger patients. We hypothesize that SIPA will be predictive among older pediatric patients for BT, HCI, mortality, and need for trauma intervention (NFTI), however we aim to further delineate the gap in utilizing SIPA in younger patients.

Methods

Using the ACS NTDB for 2017–2021 we evaluated patients 1–14 years old who were transported by EMS from the scene for definitive care. Patients were divided into three age groups: 1–4, 5–9, and 10–14 years. Recursive partitioning was used to identify separate SIPA cut-points predictive of BT, HCI, NFTI, and morbidity/mortality. Cut-points from the partitions were evaluated using Area-under-curve (AUC) statistics and response probabilities were obtained from corresponding Leaf Reports.

Results

Four SIPA cut-points from the recursive partitioning were selected for each age group. SIPA was more predictive of the need for HCI. BT showed similar results consistent with previous literature. SIPA alone showed poor discrimination in relation to NFTI and mortality, and again predictive value was slightly higher in older children.

Conclusion

While SIPA alone showed discrimination of specific outcomes of BT and HCI, it was poorly predictive of both the NFTI and mortality in children. The youngest pediatric patients continue to be elusive. Utilizing SIPA in combination with additional scores may be necessary to triage young children appropriately. This study also indicates the need to develop NFTI criteria specific to children.

Level of Evidence

IV.