Domestic Accidents in Under-Fives: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: Domestic accidents are a public health problem, and under-fives are particularly affected. We report these accidents' epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes through this study. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective descriptive study for four months in the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital Center pediatric surgery department in Dakar, Senegal. Of the 149 cases of domestic accidents, 109 were included in this study. Results: Infants (59.6%) were the most affected, with a slight male predominance (50.5%). Accidents occurred on Tuesday in 22.9% of cases and the afternoon in 38.5% of cases. Playing (59.6%) was the main activity, and falling (44%) was the most found mechanism. 78.9% of accidents occurred in the house, with the bedroom (27.5%) being the most represented place. In most cases (67.9%), the consultation was done within the first 24 hours. The upper limbs (48.6%) were the most affected, and fractures (31.2%) were the most frequent injuries. The outcomes were unremarkable in 94.5% of cases, as complications occurred in five patients with three who had an infection, one a persistent limping, and the last, a dental avulsion. No mortality was recorded. Conclusion: Domestic accidents among under-fives are frequent in our environment. Compared to those in older children, they occur similarly in both sexes, more often in the bedroom, and have a better prognosis.

Prevalence and Outcome of Paediatric Domestic Accidents in a Tertiary Health Facility in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…In regards to overall gender distribution of injuries, we found that males were more involved that females. This pattern of injuries among males and female children have also been reported by other researchers in Africa [4,8,12,13] and other continents [3,7,15] What is more interesting is the peculiarity of some home accidents among boys and girls. In our study, while girls were significantly more involved in burns injuries, probably, as a result of their participation in domestic chores like cooking, boys on the other hand, were more involved with accidental ingestion of poisonous substances and animal bites, probably as a result of lesser participation in cooking and kitchen chores making them free to explore other parts of their homes.…”

“…The home environment is meant to be a safe environment for children, however, in the presence of physical, chemical and mechanical hazards, children are in danger of injuries at home [2]. These hazards include slippery floors, poor lightening at home, sharp objects, medications, chemicals kept within the reach of children and the presence of animals within the vicinity of the home that cause injuries to humans through their bites [3][4][5]. Common injuries associated with domestic accidents include lacerations, burns, head injuries, intoxication from ingestion of chemicals, drowning and near drowning, fractures, dislocations and animal bites among others [4,6,7].…”

“…These hazards include slippery floors, poor lightening at home, sharp objects, medications, chemicals kept within the reach of children and the presence of animals within the vicinity of the home that cause injuries to humans through their bites [3][4][5]. Common injuries associated with domestic accidents include lacerations, burns, head injuries, intoxication from ingestion of chemicals, drowning and near drowning, fractures, dislocations and animal bites among others [4,6,7]. These injuries are subject to prevailing sociocultural and socioeconomic environment of the victims.…”