By creating partnerships with researchers and medical centers
around the world, the Institute is able to fund studies that
analyze how children can be treated differently with better
outcomes no matter how or where a child is injured.
Click here for a full copy of the January 2013 Research Portfolio.
Improved Understanding of Pediatric Injury Utilizing the CIREN Database
Principal Investigator: Joel Stitzel, PhD (Appendix I)
The CIREN database has an abundance of real-world crash data, but
there has not been much comparison with crash test data due to a lack of
analytical techniques. This study developed a method for comparing
adult crash injury data as well as refining the evaluation of pediatric
crash and injury data to recommend important areas of research for
pediatric trauma injury prevention.
Development and Testing of PED‐ERTM
Principal Investigators: Andre A. Muelenaer, Jr., MD and Alfred Wicks, PhD (Appendix II)
The PED-ER system provides information on pediatric resuscitation
on an LCD monitor that can be read by the entire treatment team. This
device was tested at three hospital simulation laboratories and its
content and systems assessed for potential modifications for more
widespread use.
Promoting Positive Outcomes for Youth who Have Experienced Trauma
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Arnold, PhD (Appendix III)
The STRIVE program developed at the UCLA Center for Community
Health could be used as a family-focused intervention following
pediatric trauma. Its applicability and feasibility were tested for use
in this region in the hopes of improving familial relationships and
recovery following trauma.
HITS (Head Impact Telemetry System) in Wake Forest University Football Players
Principal Investigators: Daryl Rosenbaum, MD and Joel Stitzel, PhD (Appendix IV)
The HITS system was purchased and installed in Wake Forest
University football players’ helmets for the 2010 season to study the
assessment of low-grade brain injury as well its relationship with
findings in imaging studies. This will improve the understanding of the
biomechanical basis for brain injury as well as develop procedures for
bringing the HITS program to Forsyth County high schools.
Appendix I –
Report on Pediatric Research with the Wake Forest University – Virginia Tech CIREN center
The WFU-VT CIREN center analyzes real-world crash data to study
occupant injuries and vehicle safety. There were over 600 pediatric
cases in this study, and most of the crashes studied occurred between 10
and 30 mph. The face was the most frequently injured body region and
the head was the most seriously injured region, followed by the pelvis
and lower extremities. A second part of this study found that over 200
pediatric occupants were not seated in a child safety seat at the time
of the crash. Data on Pediatric Quality of Life is being analyzed in
crashes where family members were injured as well, and this data will
help determine whether having a healthy support network improves the
outcome for pediatric trauma patients.
Appendix II – Final Report on Development and Testing of PED-ERTM
This project focused on the feasibility of use of the PED-ER system
by testing it in 3 simulation laboratories. They found that this
system was helpful in tracking and administering time-sensitive
medications, mapping decision logic during resuscitation, aiding in pain
management and fluid resuscitation, and the ability to update the LCD
display in real time using a hand-held touch screen device. This system
was so promising, in fact, that it was constantly updated and improved
as the testing proceeded, and many requests were received for its use in
a clinical setting.
Appendix III – Promoting Positive Outcomes for Youth who Have Experienced Trauma
This study demonstrated that the intervention program was
well-accepted and feasible in this region. The best method for
recruiting patients to the study was to approach them in a clinic
setting with the help of clinicians in an outpatient child psychiatry
clinic. Modifications were made to the schedule of visits based on
feedback from patients, and in the future there are plans to continue on
with a larger randomized trial.
Appendix IV - Final Report on HITS in Wake Forest University Football Players
The head impact acceleration data collected from the Wake Forest football team has provided us with the experience necessary to transition our study to the highschool and youth league levels. In the future, the equipment purchased partially with the CIPT funding can also be used for these studies.