Audit of Pediatric ENT Injuries

BACKGROUND: Ear, Nose and throat (ENT) injuries are relatively common in children. Sometimes they may result in disfigurement or dysfunction of the affected parts. This study was aimed at the pattern and mechanisms of ENT injuries encountered by children in Ilorin located in north central Nigeria. It is therefore our hope that the information will go a long way to assist other African countries as well in health care plans for children. OBJECTIVES: The study was aimed at determining the pattern and causes of ENT injuries in children in Ilorin. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross sectional, prospective study of all pediatrics patients aged 15 years and below who were managed between January 2005 and December 2009 (a period of 5 years) for ENT trauma in the accident & emergency unit, wards and clinics of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Most of them were treated as out-patients; a few of them needed admission for some procedures. Patients with injuries to other areas than ENT were not included in this study. The data that were analyzed included the age, sex, presenting complaints, duration of symptoms prior to presentation, diagnoses, treatments and complications. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-one children were studied, of which 168 (62.0%) were males and 103 (38.0%) were females. Most of the children, 97 (35.8%), were between age group of 6-10 years, 81 (29.9%) aged 5 years and below, while the rest were 11-15 years of age. Injuries due to foreign bodies in Ear, Nose and Throat accounted for 80 (29.5%) of the causes. Falls accounted for 60 (24.4%) of cases while Road Traffic Injuries (RTI), 42 (15.5%) of cases. Bleeding was the commonest presenting symptom. Most of the children, 97 (35.8%) presented within 1 hour of injury while the least, 45 (16.6%), presented more than 8 hours after the injury. 132 (48.7%) had injuries in the Ear, 117 (43.2%) in the Nose and 22 (8.1%) in the Throat. CONCLUSION: ENT injuries in pediatrics are relatively common in our environment with injuries from FB insertion/ingestion being the commonest. This is closely followed by falls. Several disabilities and morbidity may result from the trauma like anosmia, facial palsy and permanently depressed nose. These have impact on psychology of the child. For these reason close monitoring of children by parents and care-givers cannot be overemphasized. Also these injuries are avoidable causes of death and disability in children.