ABSTRACT
Objective@#: Trauma is a leading causes of death and disability in all ages. The aim of this study was to describe the demography and characteristics of paediatric head trauma in our institution and examine the predictors of outcome and incidence of injury related mortality. @*Methods@#: We examined our institutional Trauma Registry over a 2 year period. @*Results@#: A total of 1100 trauma patients were seen over the study period. Of the 579 patients who had head injury 99 were in the paediatric age group. Of the paediatric head trauma patients 79 had documented Glasgow coma score (GCS), 38 (48.1%), 17 (21.5%) and 24 (30.4%) had mild, moderate and severe head injury respectively. The percentage mortality of head injury in the paediatric age group was 6.06% (6/99). There is an association between mortality and GCS (p=0.008), necessity for intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p=0.0001), associated burns (p=0.0001) and complications such as aspiration pneumonia (p=0.0001). The significant predictors of outcome are aspiration (p=0.004), the need for ICU admission (p=0.0001) and associated burns (p=0.005) using logistic binary regression. During the study period 46 children underwent surgical intervention with extradural haematoma 16 (34.8%), depressed skull fracture 14 (30.4%) and chronic subdural haematoma five (10.9%) being the commonest indication for surgeries. @*Conclusion@#: Paediatric head injury accounted for 9.0% (99/1100) of all trauma admissions. Majority of patients had mild or moderate injuries. Burns, aspiration pneumonitis and the need for ICU admission were important predictors of outcome in children with traumatic brain injury.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To report the incidence, socio-demographic characteristics, otorhinolaryngological presentations and outcomes of management of patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital following terror attacks
Methods: A prospective descriptive hospital based study of consecutive patients presenting with ear, nose and throat injuries as a result of bomb blasts and ethno-religious crises within a six-year period and managed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital were studied for age, gender, ear, nose and throat presentations, injury mechanism, interventions and outcome of interventions. A designed proforma was used for data collection
Results: There were 107 ear, nose and throat injuries from a total 468 terror-related injuries consisting of 66 [61.7%] males and 41 [38.3%] females [M:F ratio of 1.6:1], aged between 5 and 77 years [mean=36.7 years; SD= +/- 16.2]. Two peak age incidences of injuries in the first and third decades were recorded. The commonest source of injuries was bomb blasts in 47 [44%] patients. Multiple facial fractures with soft tissue injuries were the commonest seen in 78 [72.9%] patients. The commonest associated injuries were head injuries [n=36]. Ninety-four [87.9%] patients presented via the Accident and Emergency department, 16 [15%] received prehospital care. Patients with multiple injuries stayed longer in the hospital [p=0.028]. Complications were recorded in 19 [17.8%] patients. A case fatality rate of 5.6% was recorded
Conclusion: Bomb blasts were the major form of terror attacks in our region. The presence of multiple injuries is a significant negative predictor of patient outcomes