EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF INJURIES AND POISONINGS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0–17 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AND 29 DAYS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA AND CHIȘINĂU MUNICIPALITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Objectives. To analyze the epidemiological profile of injuries and poisonings among children in the Republic of Moldova and Chișinău municipality during 2015–2023.

Materials and methods. This study presents a descriptive and comparative epidemiological analysis of morbidity due to traumatic injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes among children aged 0–17 years, 11 months and 29 days in the Republic of Moldova and Chișinău municipality during 2015–2023, based on secondary data from the statistical yearbooks of the National Agency for Public Health.

Results. Pediatric morbidity was almost double that of the general population (overall prevalence of 411.5/10,000 in the Republic of Moldova compared to 238.1/10,000 overall), with an epidemiological peak in adolescents aged 15–18 (1,989.2/10,000 in the Republic of Moldova and 3,504.1/10,000 in Chisinau); in contrast, the average annual prevalence for the period 2015–2023 was 11.1 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. Habitual injuries, including falls and household accidents, accounted for approximately 75% of cases. Road traffic accidents, although comprising only 1.4–2.1% of the total, were the leading cause of death and severe complications. The COVID-19 pandemic produced an absolute minimum in 2020, followed by a more pronounced post-pandemic recovery among children than among the general population.

Conclusions. Official data indicate important gaps in reporting injury severity. The absence of a national trauma registry limits evidence-based policymaking. Integrated multisectoral interventions are needed to reduce traumatic injury morbidity and mortality among children.