Characteristics of childhood maxillofacial injuries in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of maxillofacial trauma in paediatric and adolescent populations is much less than in adult population due to anatomic and physiologic peculiarity. This study was to analyse the prevalence of paediatric maxillofacial injuries and to evaluate the aetiology and morbility/mortality associated with maxillofacial injuries
Material and method: The data of sixty-six children with maxillofacial injuries were prospectively collected from 2011 to 2019. Information obtained included age, sex, aetiology, mechanism of injury, degree of injury, location of injury and the outcome of care.
Result: Out of sixty-six paediatric maxillofacial patients, about two-thirds 52(65.2%) were males. The median age of the patients was 4years. More than three-quarters (78.8%) were 5 years old. Falls 29(43.9%) were the main cause of Maxillofacial injuries. Traffic injuries 18(27.3%) was the second most common cause followed by strike by peers or other objects 12(18.3%), The injuries were minor in 38(57.6%), moderate 23(34.8%) and severe in 4(6.1%) of patients. Thirty-two (48.5%) of patients sustained tooth fracture, followed by facial laceration 11(16.7%), eyes injuries 9(13.6%) and tongue laceration 6(9.0%). All the patients were treated and discharged with no death recorded.
Conclusion: The most common cause of maxillofacial injuries in this study was falls, resulting in tooth fracture. The injuries were most mild, mostly managed on outpatient basis.

Key words: Maxillofacial injuries, paediatric, tooth fracture, outcome, mortality