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Audit of Pediatric ENT Injuries
S K Aremu1, B S Alabi, S Segun-Busari
1University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Insights
Pediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) injuries are common, with foreign body insertion/ingestion being the leading cause, followed by falls. These injuries can lead to significant morbidity and psychological impact, emphasizing the need for vigilant supervision.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) injuries present a significant health concern in children, potentially leading to disfigurement and functional impairment.
- Understanding the patterns and mechanisms of these injuries is crucial for developing effective prevention and management strategies in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the specific patterns and underlying causes of ENT injuries among children in Ilorin, Nigeria.
- To provide data that can inform healthcare planning and interventions for pediatric ENT trauma in African regions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted over five years (2005-2009) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
- Data collected included patient demographics, injury mechanisms, presenting symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, and complications for pediatric patients (≤15 years) with ENT trauma.
Main Results:
- A total of 271 children were studied, with males constituting 62.0%. The 6-10 year age group represented the largest cohort (35.8%).
- Foreign body insertion/ingestion (29.5%), falls (24.4%), and Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) (15.5%) were the primary causes of ENT trauma.
- Ear injuries were most prevalent (48.7%), followed by nasal (43.2%) and throat injuries (8.1%). Bleeding was the most common symptom.
Conclusions:
- Foreign body related injuries and falls are the most frequent causes of pediatric ENT trauma in the studied region.
- ENT injuries can result in long-term disabilities such as anosmia, facial palsy, and cosmetic deformities, impacting a child's psychological well-being.
- Close monitoring by caregivers is essential to prevent these avoidable injuries, which contribute to childhood morbidity and mortality.
Background:
Ear, Nose and throat (ENT) injuries are relatively common in children. Sometimes they may result in disfigurement or dysfunction of the affected parts. This study was aimed at the pattern and mechanisms of ENT injuries encountered by children in Ilorin located in north central Nigeria. It is therefore our hope that the information will go a long way to assist other African countries as well in health care plans for children.
Objectives:
The study was aimed at determining the pattern and causes of ENT injuries in children in Ilorin.
Methodology:
This was a descriptive cross sectional, prospective study of all pediatrics patients aged 15 years and below who were managed between January 2005 and December 2009 (a period of 5 years) for ENT trauma in the accident & emergency unit, wards and clinics of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Most of them were treated as out-patients; a few of them needed admission for some procedures. Patients with injuries to other areas than ENT were not included in this study. The data that were analyzed included the age, sex, presenting complaints, duration of symptoms prior to presentation, diagnoses, treatments and complications.
Results:
Two hundred and seventy-one children were studied, of which 168 (62.0%) were males and 103 (38.0%) were females. Most of the children, 97 (35.8%), were between age group of 6-10 years, 81 (29.9%) aged 5 years and below, while the rest were 11-15 years of age. Injuries due to foreign bodies in Ear, Nose and Throat accounted for 80 (29.5%) of the causes. Falls accounted for 60 (24.4%) of cases while Road Traffic Injuries (RTI), 42 (15.5%) of cases. Bleeding was the commonest presenting symptom. Most of the children, 97 (35.8%) presented within 1 hour of injury while the least, 45 (16.6%), presented more than 8 hours after the injury. 132 (48.7%) had injuries in the Ear, 117 (43.2%) in the Nose and 22 (8.1%) in the Throat.
Conclusion:
ENT injuries in pediatrics are relatively common in our environment with injuries from FB insertion/ingestion being the commonest. This is closely followed by falls. Several disabilities and morbidity may result from the trauma like anosmia, facial palsy and permanently depressed nose. These have impact on psychology of the child. For these reason close monitoring of children by parents and care-givers cannot be overemphasized. Also these injuries are avoidable causes of death and disability in children.
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