Aetiology of paediatric facial trauma at a UK District General Hospital. (9th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lello, S.; Allen, P.; Haig, S.
• Is Part Of: Oral surgery. Volume 8:Number 4(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2014-12-09
• Subjects: Mouth -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.522059
• DOI: 10.1111/ors.12143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-2471

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ors12143-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>This study aims to determine the types and causes of facial injury in children who present to a UK District General Hospital (DGH), to evaluate the relevant demographics of the subjects and to investigate whether the events were accurately clinically coded.</p> </sec> <sec id="ors12143-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and methods</title> <p>A retrospective review of all patients aged <1–17 years attending the emergency department (ED) in a DGH over the course of 1 month with a facial injury.</p> </sec> <sec id="ors12143-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Eighty‐four paediatric patients attended the ED with facial injuries during the month of September 2012. The male:female ratio was 2.36:1. Most injuries were due to a fall (49%). Six alleged assaults were recorded, but no other non‐accidental injury was suspected. Lacerations were the most frequent injury seen (44%). Dental trauma accounted for 9% of injuries. Sixty‐eight per cent of the subjects lived within the eight areas of Swindon that are among the most deprived 20% nationally. Eighteen per cent lived within the Penhill ward (electoral district), which has two areas among the most deprived 5% nationally. Ten per cent were referred on to specialist services within the hospital. Three children were referred to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Only 25% of the visits to the ED were coded with sufficient detail.</p> </sec> <sec id="ors12143-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The aetiology of facial trauma in children should be accurately recorded to allow the planning of accident prevention campaigns that can be targeted at a local and national level. This relies partly on the coding information collected from EDs and so it is imperative that this is detailed and accurate.</p> </sec> </abstract>