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Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Children: Clinical Profile and Management Outcome in a Developing Country's Rural
Toyin Ayofe Oyemolade1, Amos Olufemi Adeleye2,3, Inwonoabasi Nicholas Ekanem4
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Summary
Pediatric traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in sub-Saharan Africa is often caused by road traffic accidents, particularly motorcycle crashes. Most injuries occur in the cervical spine, with many children experiencing temporary deficits and improving with nonoperative management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on pediatric traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in developing nations.
- This study addresses the data gap by examining pediatric SCI in a rural sub-Saharan African setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the clinical profile of pediatric traumatic SCI.
- To identify common etiologies and injury patterns in a rural African tertiary hospital.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study over 42 months.
- Inclusion of all pediatric SCI patients managed at the center.
- Data collection on demographics, injury cause, location, and neurological outcomes.
Main Results:
- 20 pediatric patients (mean age 11.5 years; 13 males).
- Road traffic crashes (70%) and falls from height (25%) were primary causes, with motorcycle accidents prevalent (45%).
- Cervical spine injuries (90%) were most common; 75% had transient deficits (ASIA E), with incomplete injuries showing improvement and complete injuries showing no recovery.
Conclusions:
- Motorcycle crashes are the leading cause of pediatric SCI in this region.
- Cervical spine injuries dominate the pattern of pediatric SCI.
- Disabling injuries represent a small fraction of cases in this practice, with most showing recovery.
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