[Importance of thoracic trauma in the multi-traumatized child].

The rate of thoracic trauma in multitraumatized children was assessed on the basis of two series of investigations: thoracic injuries increased from 8% to 34%. Severe injury to the thorax is seen in spite of a decrease in multitraumata. Thoracic trauma is a central lesion with only occasional involvement of the peripheral extremities. To assess such injuries it is essential to pay attention to factors like age-related blood volume, specific fluid metabolism, different periods of thoracic elasticity, and the relation of lung volume to the child's age.