Blunt abdominal trauma profile in a tertiary care centre

Trauma is the principal public health problem in every country regardless of the level of socio-economic development. In the United States of America, trauma is the leading cause of death in children and adults upto 44 years of age. Abdominopelvic trauma accounts for a large fraction of this tragic loss of life and continues to be a distressingly frequent cause of preventable death. Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is at present the third most common form of trauma worldwide. Rapid pace of industrialization with subsequent increase in industrial accidents, increase in number of automobiles and vehicular accidents, wars, subversive activities of antisocial elements and natural calamities have led to an increased incidence of blunt abdominal trauma. Road traffic accidents, falls, assaults still remain the most common causes of blunt abdominal trauma. Seat belts used in motor vehicles by occupants to prevent injuries often serve as cause of injuries in motor vehicle accidents.