Epidemiology of facial trauma in a sample of patients aged 1-18 years

Injury. 2002 Oct;33(8):669-71. doi: 10.1016/s0020-1383(01)00201-7.

Abstract

This study reviews the epidemiology of patients aged 1-18 years treated for maxillofacial injuries during a 3 year period at a tertiary care centre. Of the 276 patients, 65.5% were aged 1-10 years. Seventy-three per cent of injuries were to the soft tissues and 15% of injuries were fractures. The mandible and zygoma were the most commonly fractured facial bones. In the adolescent group, facial fractures accounted for over half of all injuries. Injuries of 96.8% were classed as minor to moderate. Falls were by far, the commonest cause of injury, but with increasing age, assaults became more common. A surprisingly high incidence of dog bite injuries was noted, particularly in children under 7 years of age.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Bites and Stings / complications
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • England / epidemiology
  • Facial Bones / injuries*
  • Facial Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Facial Injuries / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Skull Fractures / epidemiology*
  • Skull Fractures / etiology
  • Violence