Retrospective Analysis of Etiology, Pattern, and Determinants of Pediatric Maxillofacial Injuries

Abstract

Context:

Children sustain facial skeletal and soft-tissue injuries, which are often seen in the preschool age; however, severe facial injuries involving facial bones occur in ages above 11 years. There have been several postulated reasons for the reduction in the incidence of skeletal fractures in children. These include sutural pliability of pediatric facial bones, increased subcutaneous fat, and a greater ratio of cranial to facial bones.

Aims:

The study aimed to report our institutional experience of the pattern of presentation in pediatric maxillofacial trauma and report its main etiologies.

Methods and Materials:

Clinical and demographic information was retrieved from the maxillofacial registers, day clinics, and pathology registers. The etiology of the trauma and associated injuries were also noted.

Statistical Analysis:

Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic variables such as age, gender, and location of trauma. Categorical variables were analyzed in frequencies and proportions. Association analyses across variables were done using student t -test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s Chi-square after normality test had been conducted. Dunn’s test and Tukey’s post-hoc analysis were conducted after significant observations.

Results:

The mean age observed in the study was 7.3 years ± 5.3 SD (range: 2.6 months–16 years). There was a slight male predilection with 58.6%. Falls were the most common etiology in the ≤5-years group. RTC accounted for most injuries in children above 11 years. Soft-tissue-only injuries were observed in 51.4% of all cases. In facial bone fractures, mandibular fractures accounted for 40% of all cases.

Conclusion:

Male children experienced the greatest impact from maxillofacial trauma. The primary factor contributing to this was falls among preschool children. Soft-tissue injuries were found to be more prevalent among preschool children, whereas the incidence of facial fractures increased as age advanced.