Leticia Ryan presented an analysis of emergency department visits for dog bites among children and adolescents in Maryland on Monday.
The findings are intended to inform child injury prevention efforts. By examining patterns in pediatric emergency care, health officials can better identify risk factors and develop strategies to reduce the frequency of these injuries in youth.
Ryan serves as the chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and is the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Child Injury Prevention Network. She presented the data during the 2026 Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Research Conference [1].
The research examined a population of children and adolescents aged 19 and younger [2]. The study focused on those who required emergency medical attention following dog bite incidents within the state of Maryland [1].
According to the presentation, the study period covered the years 2017 through 2025 [3]. This multi-year window allows researchers to track trends in pediatric injuries over nearly a decade of clinical data [3].
Because the data originates from emergency department records, it provides a direct look at the severity of bites requiring professional medical intervention. Ryan's work aims to bridge the gap between clinical outcomes and public health prevention strategies — a critical step in reducing avoidable childhood trauma.
The presentation highlights the ongoing need for targeted education regarding animal behavior and child safety. By analyzing the specific demographics and circumstances of these visits, the Johns Hopkins Child Injury Prevention Network can refine its guidance for parents and caregivers in the U.S.
“The findings are intended to inform child injury prevention efforts.”
This analysis provides a longitudinal look at pediatric trauma in Maryland, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to clinical data. By identifying the scale of emergency visits for dog bites over an eight-year period, health providers can determine if current safety interventions are effective or if new public health mandates are necessary to protect minors.
