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Facial injury patterns in a UK paediatric population aged under 13 years
A J Kidd1, T F Beattie, G Campbell-Hewson
1Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Old Dalkeith Road, Little France, Edinburgh, UK. alastair.kidd@luht.scot.nhs.uk
Insights
Facial injuries in UK children are most common from falls, with lower face and dental trauma being prevalent. Most cases did not require hospital admission or specialist referral.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Facial Trauma Epidemiology
- Child Health Surveillance
Background:
- Facial injuries represent a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding injury demographics and mechanisms is crucial for prevention and management.
- UK children experience various facial injuries, necessitating detailed epidemiological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the demographics of pediatric facial injuries in the UK.
- To identify common mechanisms leading to facial trauma in children.
- To characterize the nature and anatomical distribution of these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection over one year from a single pediatric Emergency Department.
- Analysis of electronic patient records for all cases coded with facial injury.
- Review of patient medical notes for detailed injury information.
Main Results:
- 593 pediatric patients presented with facial injuries; median age 4.7 years (IQR 2.4-7.5), male to female ratio 2:1.
- Falls were the predominant cause; assault was uncommon. Lower face and dento-alveolar injuries were most frequent.
- Facial fractures were rare (8 diagnosed); most patients managed outpatient, with 23% referred, over half to dentistry.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric facial injuries are common, with lacerations, oral, and dental trauma being the most frequent types.
- Falls are the leading cause of these injuries in children.
- The majority of pediatric facial injuries can be managed effectively without hospital admission or extensive specialist referral.
Background:
The aims of this study were to present the demographics and mechanisms of facial injury in UK children, and to establish the nature and anatomical location of facial injury in this age group.
Methods:
Patient data were collected retrospectively over 1 year from a paediatric Emergency Department in South East Scotland. Medical notes were examined for all patients coded on the electronic patient record as having any facial injury.
Results:
593 patients attended with a facial injury. The median age of patients was 4.7 years. (IQR 2.4-7.5 years.), and the male to female ratio of facial injuries was 2:1. Injuries were predominantly from falls. Assault or violence was uncommon. Most common sites of facial injury were the lower third of the face and dento-alveolar injury. Facial fractures were rare and radiographic facial imaging was infrequently performed. Only eight facial fractures were diagnosed. 4.5% of all patients were admitted to hospital; 23% of the children were referred on to other specialities for follow-up, of these over half were to a dentist.
Conclusions:
A large number of children presented with facial injuries during the study period. Facial lacerations, oral trauma and dental trauma were the most common injuries. The majority of patients were dealt with without admission or referral to another speciality.
