Paediatric Orthopaedic Disease Pattern In Sagamu, Nigeria

Abstract

A prospective descriptive study of the orthopaedic diseases and injuries in children seen over a 24month period in the orthopaedic clinics of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Sagamu was done. One hundred and thirty-six orthopaedic disorders in 134 children were studied. Of these children, 60% were males and 40% were females. 66% of them were below age 5 years while older children were 34%. Deformities (48%) were the most frequent presenting conditions of which congenital malformations and acquired deformities occurred in the ratio 4.5:5.5. The most frequently seen congenital and acquired deformities were congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) and genu valgum/genu varum representing 9.6% and 17% respectively. Accidental injuries constitute 41% of all cases. 75% of the injuries were fractures which occurred mostly in the upper limb while soft tissue injuries were 14%. 59% of the injuries were due to fall most often at home, and 25% of them resulted from road traffic accidents, most commonly being knocked down. There is no significant difference between preschool and early school children among those injured from fall and traffic accidents, p = 0.89 and p = 0.31 respectively. Non- accidental injuries, from battering for example, were not seen. Six percent of the cases were due to infections.


Key Words: children, disease, injury, orthopaedics - congenial, acquired


Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 44(3) 2003: 52-55