The history of paediatric trauma care in Cape Town

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and disability in childhood. In most developed countries where 18% of the population are in the age group 0 - 15 years, injury exceeds all other causes of childhood mortality. In the developing countries of Africa, however, children aged 0 - 15 years constitute 43% of the population and trauma has an even bigger impact on child health.There is an erroneous perception that trauma is not a major health problem in Africa, derived from undue emphasis on mortality statistics alone. Yet, the impact of trauma ought to be measured not only in terms of death, but also the tremendous morbidity and disability caused by injuries, and their socioeconomic consequences