Neonatal head injury unrelated to birth trauma in South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Neonatal head trauma resulting from causes other than birth trauma has rarely been the focus of many a research theme in the literature.

AIM/

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the occurrence of non-birth trauma related neonatal head injury, and evaluate the causes and outcome of treatment.

METHODS

A 3 year retrospective review of neonatal patients with head injury from two tertiary hospitals in South-East Nigeria between July 2009 and June 2012 (n-37). Data was collected from patients' birth and medical records. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 15.

RESULT: Among the one hundred and seventy-six cases (11.78)% pediatric head injury cases seen, thirty seven (2.48)% occurred in neonatal patients. The most common cause of head injury was fall 22 cases [59.5%]. Children of mothers with low educational qualification were more likely to sustain falls 22 cases (59.5%). Road traffic accident (n = 15) was associated with more severe injuries and poorer outcome. Operative treatment was associated with increased mortality (two of three cases). The mortality rate in our series is 8.10%.

CONCLUSION

Reduction of neonatal head trauma could be achieved through improved maternal education.