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Incidence of infection in pediatric patients with laceration
1Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
Insights
Pediatric laceration infections are rare (2%), but lower extremity and large wounds pose higher risks. Prompt evaluation and treatment are crucial for managing these common injuries.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
- Wound Care
Background:
- Lacerations are frequent reasons for emergency department visits.
- Assessing infection risk in pediatric patients with sutured lacerations is important for guiding treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the infection rate in pediatric patients with sutured lacerations.
- To identify risk factors associated with laceration infections in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 415 pediatric patients over three months.
- Infection occurrence in sutured lacerations was tracked.
- Follow-up was achieved for 346 patients (84%).
Main Results:
- Overall infection rate was 2% (7 out of 346 patients).
- Lower extremity lacerations had a significantly higher infection rate (8.5%, P < 0.0001).
- Lacerations >3 cm were more likely to become infected (5.3% vs 0.4%, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric laceration infection rates are lower than in adults.
- Large lacerations on lower extremities present a greater risk for infection.
- Falls were the primary cause of injury (61%).
Abstract:
Lacerations are common in emergency departments. A review of pediatric patients was carried out to determine the infection rate. During a three-month period, from August to October, 415 patients were prospectively evaluated to determine the occurrence of infections in sutured lacerations. Sixty-nine patients (16%) were lost to follow-up. Seven patients (2%) developed infections. The infection rate in the lower extremities was 8.5% (P less than 0.0001). Six lacerations (5.3%) greater than 3 cm in size became infected, compared to one (0.4%) that was smaller than 3 cm (P less than 0.0001). Falls accounted for 61% of the injuries. The infection rate in children is less than that in adults. However, large lacerations in the lower extremities are at greater risk.