Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: December | Volume: 8 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 16-19
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20211203
Unintentional Injuries in Children: A Hospital-Based Study in Trivandrum
Sam Varkey1, Aravind C. S1, Maneesha U. R2
1Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Government Medical College Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Government Medical College Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Corresponding Author: Sam Varkey
ABSTRACT
Unintentional injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children around the world.
A hospital based retrospective descriptive study was done in the Department of Pediatric Surgery of a tertiary care hospital in Trivandrum, to find out the pattern of unintentional injuries in children. The study population constituted, all children admitted with unintentional injuries for a period of 5years from 2016 to 2020. Mechanical Trauma (44.2%) was the most common reason for admission followed by Burns (37.9%) and foreign body (17.1%). Major reason for trauma was fall from height, and head injury was the most common type of injury. Preschool children were affected most. Large proportion of these children belonged to low socioeconomic group (85.6%). Injuries occurred commonly at homes and surroundings (91%), compared to other places. Majority of the injuries were moderate (88.46%) and remaining (10.05%) was severe requiring ICU care. The study highlights the different types of unintentional injuries requiring hospitalization; this will help to devise strategies aimed at prevention of unintentional injuries in children especially preschool children and those living below poverty line.
Keywords: Unintentional Injuries, Children, Trauma.
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