| dc.description.abstract | Background and objectives: Injuries are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, resulting in over 950,000 deaths in children annually with more than 95% of injury deaths occurring in low income and middle income countries. The home remains a significant setting for a number of deaths and a large number of non fatal injuries. Recent data on the spectrum and outcome of children presenting with home based injuries in Kenya is lacking. The primary purpose of this study was to describe the spectrum and outcomes of home based injuries among children under 18 years of age presenting to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)
Methodology: This was a short longitudinal survey conducted at the National Referral Hospital KNH between March and April 2010. Children less than 18 years of age with home based injuries were enrolled. We administered a questionnaire with regard to place of occurrence. circumstances surrounding the injury, socio-demographic factors and the clinical profile. We then followed them up for a maximum of 30 days or until death or discharge whichever was shorter to ascertain the outcomes (length of hospital stay, disability or death).
Results: A total of 97 cases were identified. The median age was 2 years (IQR: 1.5- 5.0 years). The largest proportion of children 68% were aged between 1 - 4 years. A male preponderance was observed (58.8%). The types of injuries included; injuries resulting from falls 37.1% (fractures 58.3%, concussion/head injury 11.1 % among others), burns 33.0% (scalds 84.4% and flames 15.6%), foreign bodies 12.4% (organic 50% and_non organic 50%), cuts/wounds 8.2%, poisoning 3.1 %, sexual assault 3.1 %, electric shock 2.1 % and bites 1.0%. Eighty six percent of children were admitted with 61.7% having residual disability at 30days and 1 % died.
Conclusion: The spectrum of injuries in descending frequency included; injuries resulting from falls 37.1%, burns 33.0%, foreign bodies 12.4%, cuts/wounds 8.2%, poisoning 3.1%, sexual assault 3.1 %, electric shock 2.1 % and bites 1.0%. Adverse short term clinical outcomes included hospitalization (86.6%), prolonged hospitalization for more than 14 days (50.5%), residual
disability (61.7%) and death (1%).
Recommendations: The frequency, morbidity and disabilty caused by home injuries to children justifies development of possible preventive measures and evaluation of longterm consequences. | en_US |
