Significant Pediatric Morbidity and Mortality from Intracranial Ballistic Injuries Caused by Nonpowder Gunshot Wounds

Abstract

Nonpowder (ball-bearing and pellet) weapons derive their source of energy from compressed air or carbon dioxide. Such weapons are dangerous toys that cause serious injuries and even death to children and adolescents. A retrospective chart review study was undertaken to describe nonpowder gun injuries at a southwestern US urban level I adult and pediatric trauma center. Specific emphasis was placed on intracranial injuries. Over the past 6 years, a total of 29 pediatric and 7 adult patients were identified as having nonpowder firearm injuries. The patient population was overwhelmingly male (89.7%; mean age, 11 years). Overall, 17 out of 29 pediatric patients (56.8%) sustained serious injury. Nine patients (30.0%) required operation, 6 (20.7%) sustained significant morbidity, and there were 2 deaths (6.9%). Injuries to the brain, eye, head, and neck were the most common sites of injury (65.6%). Specific intracranial injuries in 3 pediatric patients are described that resulted in the death of 2 children. We suggest that age warning should be adjusted to 18 years or older for unsupervised use to be considered safe of these potentially lethal weapons.

An Intracerebral Penetration of Air Shotgun Pellet in Toddler: A Case without Neurological Sequelae

“…The injuries were common to intracranial, eye, head, and neck (65.6%). Unfortunately, 2 of 3 patients who had intracranial injury was dead [ 1 ].…”

“…Non-powder firearms such as pellet gun, air rifles, ball-bearing guns, paintball guns, are significant sources of injury and death among children and adolescents. The injury can involve the brain, eyes, head, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities [ 1 ] [ 2 ]. Non-powder firearms have a velocity ranging from 80 to 300m/s and can cause injury up to 20-60 feet away.…”

“…Non-powder firearms are dangerous as it can inflict severe injuries and even death to children [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]. Non-powder firearms are widely available in toy stores, department stores, and online stores with the premise that non-powder firearms are considered toys which are relatively safe for children to play with [ 4 ].…”

“…In the United States, approximately 3.2 million non-powder guns are sold each year, and not all areas have the law to regulate the purchase [ 1 ] [ 4 ]. Non-powder firearms typically have a velocity of 150-1,200 feet per second, compared with 0.22-caliber handguns which generate the velocity of 800 feet per second.…”

“…Non-powder firearms have the power to penetrate human skin and bone. The risk of death increases if the speed is more than 350 feet per second [ 1 ].…”