Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

Childhood injuries in Ilesa, South-Western Nigeria: causes, pattern, and outcome

S A Adegoke1, A S Ademola, I O F Dedeke

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. adegoke2samade@yahoo.com

West African Journal of Medicine
|January 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Injuries are a significant cause of childhood death and illness in Nigeria, with road traffic accidents and falls being the most common. Improved supervision and safer environments are crucial for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • Infections and undernutrition are primary causes of childhood mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Injuries are increasingly recognized as a major contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes, associated morbidity, and mortality of injuries among children in South-Western Nigeria.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted over one year.
  • Data on childhood injury attendances and admissions to the Children Emergency Room (CHER) were collected.
  • Information gathered included socio-demographics, injury cause, site, risks, affected body parts, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Injuries represented 10.6% of attendances, 11.9% of admissions, and 20.4% of deaths in the CHER.
  • Road traffic accidents (34.0%) and falls (31.2%) were the leading causes of injury.
  • Most injuries occurred at home (40.1%) and on the road (37.4%), with lack of supervision identified as a key risk factor.

Conclusions:

  • Injuries are a substantial cause of mortality in children in South-Western Nigeria.
  • Public awareness campaigns focusing on supervision in homes, schools, and roads are recommended.
  • Enhancing safety measures in these environments is essential to reduce childhood injury burden.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury09:49

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: January 20, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Cellular Injury I: Introduction01:00

Cellular Injury I: Introduction

Cellular injury occurs when a cell cannot maintain homeostasis or adapt to stressors such as hypoxia, toxins, or trauma. Depending on severity and duration, injury may be reversible, allowing recovery, or irreversible, leading to cell death.General Mechanisms of Cell InjuryAlthough causes vary, most cellular injuries arise from a few key mechanisms that disrupt essential functions and often amplify one another. Cell survival depends on the extent and balance of these disturbances.ATP depletion...
Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Cellular Injury II: Classification01:21

Cellular Injury II: Classification

Cellular injury is any process that disrupts a cell’s ability to maintain homeostasis, leading to structural or functional changes. It is broadly classified based on etiology (cause) and mechanism of damage.Classification by EtiologyCellular injury may result from several causes. Hypoxic injury happens due to reduced oxygen delivery, most commonly from inadequate blood supply, such as arterial obstruction; for example, coronary artery thrombosis can cause myocardial infarction. Chemical injury...