Pediatric Craniofacial Injuries Involving Alcohol: An Epidemiologic Study

Alcohol intoxication significantly increases an individual's risk for a variety of injuries including craniofacial injuries, although this research is limited to adults. Further research is needed on pediatric craniofacial injuries related to alcohol use in children, a group inherently different in anatomy and developmental considerations from adults. This study aims to identify alcohol-related craniofacial injury patterns, injury mechanisms, and patient disposition in the pediatric population presenting to the emergency department.

A cross-sectional analysis of alcohol-related injuries in the pediatric population (0-18 years of age) was performed using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database from 2019 to 2023. Patient demographics, specific primary and secondary injury diagnoses, injury mechanism, location, and discharge disposition were collected. Descriptive statistics and χ 2 tests were used to understand injury patterns.

A total of 266 patients with alcohol-related craniofacial injuries were identified, with an age range of 12 to 18 years. The most common craniofacial injuries were brain injury, facial laceration, and concussions. Additional injuries occurred in most patients and were often either poisoning or an additional craniofacial injury. Injury mechanisms included falls, motorized and non-motorized recreational vehicles, motor vehicle collisions, and others. Although most patients were discharged from the emergency department, some required transfer or admission, particularly those with brain injuries or fractures.

This study evaluates pediatric craniofacial injuries involving alcohol. Falls emerged as the most common injury mechanism, and most injuries occurred in older adolescents. This population had high rates of brain injury and concomitant injuries, highlighting the significant morbidity present.