PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CRITERIA
In accordance with NYS BLS protocol, a pediatric patient will be considered to have
major trauma if any one of the following is present and the patient shall be considered a
trauma center candidate:

Mechanism of Injury

A. Survivor of a motor vehicle accident in which there was a death in the same passenger compartment of the vehicle.
B. Falls of more than 10 feet.
C. Vehicle-pedestrian collision.
D. Patient ejected from a vehicle.
E. Vehicle collision greater than 20 miles per hour (MPH) resulting in 12 inches of deformity to the vehicle.
F. Vehicle rollover.
G. Motorcycle crash.
H. Vehicle- Bicycle collision greater than 5 MPH.

Physical Findings

A. Pulse rate greater than the normal range for the patient's age.
B. Systolic blood pressure below the normal range for the patient's age.
C. Respiratory status inadequate (central cyanosis, respiratory rate low for the child's age, capillary refill time greater than two seconds).
D. Glasgow Coma Score of less than 14.
E. Penetrating injuries of the trunk, head, neck, chest, abdomen, or groin.
F. Two or more proximal long bone fractures.
G. Flail chest.
H. Burns that involve 15% or more of the body surface (10% if associated with other injuries or the child is less than five years old) or facial/airway burns.
I. Combined system trauma that involves two or more body systems, injuries or major blunt trauma to the chest or abdomen.
J. Spinal cord injury or limb paralysis.
K. Amputations (except digits).

NOTE: Burn patients with associated hemorrhage should be treated as trauma patients rather than burn patients.
NOTE: Stable burn patients with trauma other than associated hemorrhage should be transported to a Burn Center