Maxillofacial fractures among Sudanese children at Khartoum Dental Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Maxillofacial fractures in children are less frequent compared to adults but result in special complications affecting the growth, function and esthetics.

AIM: The study aimed at assessing the characteristics and the pattern of facial fractures among children seen at Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital (KTDH).

METHOD: The study included 390 patients presenting with maxillofacial trauma at KTDH during a year period (2010-2011).

RESULTS

A total of 390 patients, diagnosed with facial fractures, were seen at KTDH; 14.1% (55) were children below 16 years of age with the mean age of 10 years (SD ± 3.9). The ratio of males to females was 2.2:1. Most fractures were due to road traffic accidents (RTA) 56.4%, followed by daily living activities 21.8% and assault 16.4%. The most prevalent anatomic sites of fractures were mandible 77%; combination fractures i.e. more than one site 32.7% and zygomatic-complex (13.5%). Concomitant injuries were found in 9.1%. Almost half of the patients were managed conservatively 49.1%, closed reduction 34.5% and surgical open reduction 16.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicated that pediatric facial fractures constitute 14.1% of the total number of facial fractures. RTA was the main cause, which should be considered in legislative and preventive strategies.