Comparison of Predictive Performance of Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) and Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) in Pediatric Trauma at a Tertiary Care Center in Central India

Abstract

Aditi Pahade, Maneesh Kumar Joleya*, Shashi Shankar Sharma, Ashok Kumar Ladda, Pooja Tiwari, Ram Mohan Shukla, B.K. Lahoti

Background: Pediatric trauma continues to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries where healthcare resources are often limited. Early and accurate assessment of injury severity is essential for effective triage and management. The Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) and Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) are widely used tools, but their comparative utility in clinical settings remains under-explored. The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of PTS and TRISS in predicting clinical outcomes in pediatric trauma patients. Methods: The present study is a hospital-based observational study conducted over one year at a tertiary care center in Central India. Thirty pediatric patients aged 1-12 years with blunt trauma were included. PTS and TRISS were calculated at predefined intervals. Outcomes assessed included Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, duration of ICU stay, and mortality. Statistical analysis involved sensitivity, specificity. Results: Most patients belonged to the 6-10 years age group (36.7%), with a clear male predominance (70%). Both PTS and TRISS showed significant correlation with patient outcomes. TRISS demonstrated higher predictive accuracy for mortality and ICU-related outcomes, while PTS proved useful for rapid initial assessment. Lower scores in both systems were consistently associated with worse outcomes. Conclusion: While TRISS offers superior accuracy in predicting outcomes, PTS remains a practical and efficient tool for early triage, especially in resource-constrained settings. Using both tools together may provide the best clinical advantage.