Animal and human bites in children

Mammals that live closely and interact with man and man himself can inflict injury on children in the home through bites. Previous reports on mammalian bites in Nigeria are few and mainly on dogs, though other mammals also inflict injuries on children. There are also no reports on the injuries arising from the bites of these other mammals.

To document the range, pattern, distribution and complications of mammalian bites in children.

The hospital records of all patients aged 18 years and below with history of animal and human bite admitted over a twelve-year period from January 1994 to December 2005 were analysed retrospectively.

There were 105 episodes of human and animal bites recorded in the registers of the hospital but the case notes of only 83 (79%) could be found. The male to female ratio for cases bitten was 2: 1. There were 62 (74.7%) cases of dog bites, 17 (20.5%) of human bites, 3 (3.6%) rat bites and 1 (1.2%) monkey bite. Of the dog bites, 68% were by vagrant and unvaccinated animals. The children presented with superficial and deep tissue injuries. Rabies was the most severe complication noted.

Dogs are the most common mammals involved in the biting of children. Such bites lead to many morbidities and mortalities; bacterial and viral infections and death. There is a need to enforce the existing policy on the control of dogs and animals generally.