Epidemiology of admitted cases of childhood injuries in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria

Introduction: Injuries have become a leading cause of childhood death, and majority of these occur in developing countries. The range of injuries also varies among age groups, sex, populations and economies. Within the same population, injury pattern changes over time. Statistics of trauma from most developing countries are still not very many. To aid sound policies, documentation of trauma epidemiology from different cultures and geographies is still needful. Methodology: Hospital records of all children aged 18 years and below that presented between January 2007 and December 2011 were studied retrospectively. Results: A total of 217 patients were admitted, 125 (57.6%) males and 92 (42.4%) females. Multiple injuries occurred in 24 (11.1%) of children. Road crashes accounted for the greatest number of injuries; 109 cases (50.2%) followed by falls 60; (27.6%). Motor cycle related injuries accounted for 67 (61.5%) of the 109 road traffic injuries. The age group most commonly affected is 0-5 years accounting for 98 (45.2%) cases. Head injury was the commonest injury sustained 83 (33.9%). Majority of the injuries, 72 (66.1%) occurred in or near home. Injuries were more frequent during the weekdays 132 (60.8%) compared to the weekends 85 (39.2%). Long term functional or physical disability was seen in 62 (28.6%) of cases. Six children died giving a mortality rate of 2.8%. Conclusion: Childhood trauma rate is still high, with motorcycle related road traffic accidents constituting a major cause. Education and enforcement of road traffic regulations and limiting motorcycle transportation may help in reducing the trauma rate in children.