Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Patterns of pediatric injuries: a prospective cross-sectional study at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
Emmanuel Yeboah Gyabaah1, Hezron Bondzie2, John Abanga Alatiiga1,2
1School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Insights
Pediatric injuries, particularly head injuries, fractures, and burns, are common in children. This study at Tamale Teaching Hospital highlights the need for enhanced neurosurgery and burn care services to reduce childhood injury burden.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma Care
- Injury Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood injuries are a leading cause of death and disability globally, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.
- Understanding injury patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and informing health policy.
- Tamale Teaching Hospital serves a region where data on pediatric injury patterns are essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological patterns of pediatric injuries presenting to Tamale Teaching Hospital.
- To identify the most frequent types and mechanisms of injuries among children under 17 years.
- To provide data that can guide resource allocation and policy development for child injury prevention.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted from February to August 2023 at Tamale Teaching Hospital.
- Data were collected on 147 pediatric patients (under 17 years) admitted for at least 24 hours due to injury.
- Injury severity was assessed using Kampala and Pediatric Trauma Scores; data included demographics, injury type, mechanism, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Head injuries were the most prevalent (42.2%), followed by fractures (17%) and burns (12.2%).
- Males constituted the majority of participants (96/147), with a mean age of 7.9 years.
- The majority of injuries (62.6%) were managed conservatively, with head injuries being most common across age groups above one year.
Conclusions:
- Head injuries, fractures, and burns represent the primary pediatric injury concerns at Tamale Teaching Hospital.
- There is a critical need to enhance specialized care capacities, particularly in neurosurgery and burn management.
- Addressing these common injury patterns can significantly improve outcomes for injured children in the region.
Introduction:
childhood injuries account for more deaths than all other diseases combined in children between the ages of 5-14. Despite underreporting, morbidity and mortality from injuries are highest in low- and middle-income countries. Data on injury patterns can influence policy and help implement preventive measures. This study aims to determine the pattern of pediatric injuries at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Methods:
data were prospectively collected from February 2023 to August 2023 at the Tamale Teaching Hospital on all patients below 17 years who sustained injuries resulting in admission for at least 24 hours. Injury severity was graded using the Kampala and Pediatric Trauma Scores. Data on patient demography, type of injury, mechanism of injury, treatment, and mortality were collected and analyzed.
Results:
of 147 participants, 96 were males, with a mean age of 7.9 (± 4.8) years. The top three injuries were isolated head injuries (n=62, 42.2% of all patients), isolated fractures (n=25, 17%) and isolated burns (n=18, 12.2%). There were 12 (8.2%) participants with multiple injuries. Isolated head injuries were the most common type of injury for all ages above one year. The majority (n=110, 62.6%) was treated conservatively.
Conclusion:
commonest injury patterns among children at the Tamale Teaching Hospital are head injuries, fractures, and burns. Improvements in capacity for neurosurgery and burn care should be prioritized.
