Epidemiology and treatment outcome of head injury in children: A prospective study
M O N Nnadi1, O B Bankole2, B G Fente3
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Insights
Head injuries in children are a global concern, with road traffic accidents being the most common cause. While most children achieve good outcomes, injury severity impacts results, highlighting the need for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Head injury in children presents a significant global health challenge.
- Poverty exacerbates children's exposure to trauma situations.
- The long-term consequences of pediatric head injuries necessitate effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiological patterns of head injuries in children.
- To determine the age groups most affected by head injuries.
- To evaluate the treatment outcomes for pediatric head injury cases.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Data were collected from July 2010 to December 2013.
- Analysis involved 76 children with head injuries, utilizing Epi Info 7 software.
Main Results:
- Road traffic accidents accounted for 63.15% of head injuries.
- Falls were common in toddlers, and pedestrian accidents predominated in pre-school and school-aged children.
- 92.1% of patients achieved good functional outcomes (≥4), though injury severity influenced results.
Conclusions:
- Etiologies of traumatic brain injury in children are age-dependent.
- Falls are prevalent in toddlers; pedestrian accidents are common in younger children.
- Treatment outcomes are significantly related to the severity of the head injury.
Summary:
Head injury in children is a major concern all over the world. The increasing level of poverty in the world is exposing more children to trauma situations. The future consequences of trauma in these children are enormous, hence prevention they say, is better than cure.
Aim Of The Study:
The study was designed to determine the etiological pattern, age group affectation and treatment outcome in children managed for head injury in our center.
Methods:
It was a prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study of children with head injuries managed in our center from July 2010 to December 2013. Data were collected using structured proforma that was part of our prospective Data Bank approved by our hospital Research and Ethics Committee. Data were collected in accident and emergency unit, Intensive Care Unit, wards and out-patient clinic. The data was analyzed using Epi Info 7 software.
Results:
Total of 76 children managed by the unit and followed-up to a minimum of 3 months qualified for the study. There were 42 males. The age ranged from 7 months to 18 years with a mean of 8.66 years. There were 30 adolescent/teenagers. Road traffic accident formed 63.15%. Pedestrian accident was more among preschool and school children. Thirty-seven patients had mild head injury. Sixty-six patients were managed conservatively. The commonest posttraumatic effect was seizure (15.79%). Good functional outcome (≥4) was seen in 92.1%. Mode of accident and severity of injury affected the outcome.
Conclusions:
The etiologies of traumatic brain injury, from our study, were age dependent with falls commonest in toddlers and pedestrian accident commonest in pre-school and school ages. The outcome of treatment was related to severity of injury.
