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Analysis of Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center Over 10 Years
Katherine D Reuter Muñoz1, Lauren E Powell1, Emily S Andersen2
1From the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|June 8, 2021
Summary
Pediatric dog bites cause significant morbidity and financial burden, with 25% of children requiring advanced interventions. Safety education on animal interaction is crucial to prevent these injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Dog bite injuries represent a significant, preventable cause of morbidity and healthcare costs in children.
- This study focuses on characterizing the patient and healthcare burden of pediatric dog bites at a Level 1 trauma center.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the patient demographics, injury characteristics, management strategies, outcomes, and financial implications of dog bite injuries in pediatric patients.
- To identify factors influencing the healthcare burden associated with pediatric dog bites.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 356 pediatric patients treated for dog bites at a specific trauma center between 2007 and 2017.
- Analysis of demographic data, injury specifics, treatment protocols, patient outcomes, and associated hospital charges.
Main Results:
- The majority of injuries occurred in males aged 6-12, often from household dogs, with pit bulls being the most common breed implicated.
- Bites to the head/face were more frequent in infants and younger children. While most injuries were managed with primary repair, 25% required advanced reconstructive techniques.
- Average hospital charges were $8830.70 per patient, with higher costs in younger age groups. Insurance status impacted treatment decisions and interventions.
Conclusions:
- While many pediatric dog bites heal with initial emergency department management, a significant portion necessitates further interventions.
- Dog bite injuries impose a substantial and potentially avoidable personal and financial burden on families.
- Findings underscore the need for enhanced safety education regarding animal care, behavior, and child-animal interactions to mitigate these injuries.
