Blunt trauma facts for kids

Blunt trauma, also known as blunt force trauma, happens when your body gets hit by something that isn't sharp. Think of it like a strong push or impact from a car, a fist, or even the ground if you fall. It's different from penetrating trauma, which is when something sharp, like a bullet, goes into your body.

What Causes Blunt Trauma?

Blunt trauma is very common. Here are some of the main ways it can happen:

• Car accidents: This is the most frequent cause of blunt trauma. When a car stops suddenly or crashes, people inside can be thrown around or hit parts of the car.
• Being hit: If someone hits you with their fist or an object that isn't sharp, like a bat, it can cause blunt trauma.
• Falls: Falling down stairs or just tripping and hitting the ground can lead to blunt force injuries.
• Falls from heights: Jumping or falling from a tall place, like a tree or a building, can cause very serious blunt trauma.

How Can Blunt Trauma Affect Your Body?

Blunt trauma can cause different kinds of injuries, from minor to very serious.

If the impact isn't too strong, you might get:

• Cuts (lacerations): These are breaks in your skin.
• Bruises (contusions): These happen when small blood vessels under your skin break, causing a dark mark.
• Scrapes (abrasions): These are when the top layer of your skin is rubbed off.

However, a strong blunt force can lead to much more serious problems, such as:

• Head and brain injuries: A hard hit to the head can damage the brain.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can affect how your body moves and feels.
• Breathing problems: If your chest or throat is hit hard, it can make it difficult or impossible to breathe.
• Organ damage: Important organs inside your body, like your lungs, can be hurt. For example, a collapsed lung can happen.
• Broken bones: Bones can break from the impact.
• Severe bleeding: You can bleed a lot, sometimes inside your body where you can't see it.

Images for kids

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  A depiction of flail chest, a very serious blunt chest injury

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  This table depicts mechanisms of blunt thoracic trauma and the most common injuries from each mechanism

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  An example of a chest tube

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  A CT scan showing an epidural hematoma, a variety of intracranial bleeding commonly associated with blunt trauma to the temple region

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  A fracture, an injury to the skeletal component of the upper extremity.

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  The Ankle-Brachial Index is depicted here. Note: ultrasound enhancement of pulses is not required but may be helpful.