Childhood Fall from Heights in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Abstract

A prospective study of childhood fall from heights at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto from January 1999 to December 2000 is presented. A total of 59 children aged 14 years and below were seen. Thirty five (59.3%) were males and twenty four (40.6%) were females. Fall from multistory buildings was the commonest cause of accident (35.6%) followed by fall from trees (27.1%). The commonest trauma was head injury seen in 36 patients (55.4%) and was responsible for the overall mortality of 6.8% (4 cases). Extremity fractures occurred in 18 patients (27.7%) and limb lost was recorded in 5 patients (8.5%). The biomechanics of fall, the peculiarities of fall from height in this environment and preventive measures are discussed.


Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(1) 2003: 26-28