RESEARCH - Pediatric Firearm Injuries in a Major Urban Louisiana City: A Deadly Public Health Issue

Authors

Morgan Brown, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Jenny Stevens, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
Jose Cruz Ayala, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Claudia Leonardi, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Alison Smith, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Fabienne Gray, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow

Abstract

Background: In 2019, firearm injuries surpassed motor vehicle collisions as the leading cause of pediatric death in the US. In Louisiana, firearm injuries represent the leading cause of pediatric death since 2013. A more comprehensive understanding of risk factors associated with pediatric firearm injury is needed to improve outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review from 2016-2023 of pediatric trauma patients presenting to a Level I Adult Trauma Center & Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in a major urban Louisiana city was performed. Demographics, mechanism of injury, and injury intent were evaluated. Results: Among 8,832 patients, 1,116 (12.6%) sustained firearm injuries. Among these, 84.1% (n=938) were male and 88.6% (n=989) were Black. The majority of firearm injuries occurred in patients 10-19 years old (87.2%, n=973) vs other youth, and 85.1% (n=950) were assaults. From 2018-2022, the proportion of trauma activations from firearm injuries increased from 8.8% to 14.2% in pediatric patients (p < 0.0001). Mortality was higher for firearm injured patients compared to other mechanisms of injury (8.2% vs 1.2%, p < 0.0001). Discussion: Pediatric firearm injuries in this cohort disproportionately affect Black males and are assault related. Unlike national trends, where unintentional injuries are more common, assaults drive the local burden, reflecting regional disparities. Firearm-injured patients were more critically ill, with higher ICU utilization and mortality. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to combat the public health crisis of pediatric firearm violence. Conclusion: A public health approach including injury prevention and educational efforts is needed to develop solutions to this crisis.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Morgan; Stevens, Jenny; Ayala, Jose Cruz; Leonardi, Claudia; Smith, Alison; and Gray, Fabienne (2025) "RESEARCH - Pediatric Firearm Injuries in a Major Urban Louisiana City: A Deadly Public Health Issue," Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association: Vol. 5: No. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/jlpha/vol5/iss2/8