R Lalloo1, A B van As. 1. Department of Community Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry and World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre, University of the Western Cape.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of childhood head injury patients treated in a trauma unit. DESIGN: A retrospective record-based study. SETTING: The trauma unit of the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. SUBJECTS: Children (under 13 years of age) presenting with head injuries between January 1991 and December 2001. RESULTS: Of the almost 94 000 records, more than one-third were children presenting with head injuries. Fifty-nine per cent were boys, with more than half the sample under 5 years of age. The majority of children presented with superficial lacerations and abrasions, mostly affecting the scalp and skull. Injuries were mainly caused by falls from a variety of heights, and traffic-related injuries. Almost two-thirds of traffic-related injuries involved children as pedestrians being struck by a motor vehicle. More than 60% of injuries occurred in or around the child's own home. CONCLUSIONS: Head injuries in children are a significant cause of morbidity. Prevention, especially in the home and on the streets, needs urgent attention.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of childhood head injurypatients treated in a trauma unit. DESIGN: A retrospective record-based study. SETTING: The trauma unit of the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. SUBJECTS:Children (under 13 years of age) presenting with head injuries between January 1991 and December 2001. RESULTS: Of the almost 94 000 records, more than one-third were children presenting with head injuries. Fifty-nine per cent were boys, with more than half the sample under 5 years of age. The majority of children presented with superficial lacerations and abrasions, mostly affecting the scalp and skull. Injuries were mainly caused by falls from a variety of heights, and traffic-related injuries. Almost two-thirds of traffic-related injuries involved children as pedestrians being struck by a motor vehicle. More than 60% of injuries occurred in or around the child's own home. CONCLUSIONS:Head injuries in children are a significant cause of morbidity. Prevention, especially in the home and on the streets, needs urgent attention.
Authors: Adnan A Hyder; David E Sugerman; Prasanthi Puvanachandra; Junaid Razzak; Hesham El-Sayed; Andres Isaza; Fazlur Rahman; Margie Peden Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Siran He; Jeffrey C Lunnen; Prasanthi Puvanachandra; Nukhba Zia; Adnan A Hyder Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-01-16 Impact factor: 9.308