Prevalence and characteristics of injuries to the head and orofacial region in physically abused children and adolescents – a retrospective study in a city of the Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of injuries to the head and orofacial region in physically abused children and adolescents from a city of the Northeast of Brazil, based on the review of forensic medical reports. This retrospective study was undertaken by the analysis of expert medical reports derived from medical forensic exams performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine of the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, between January 2003 and December 2006. From a universe of 11 624 reports issued in this time span, the study sample consisted of 1070 reports referring to children and adolescents aged 0-17 years that were confirmedly victims of physical abuse. Male children (52.8%) in the 13- to 17-year-old range (72.4%) were the most frequent victims, with an association between gender and age group (P = 0.039). Most children (58.2%) presented a single type of injury, with a statistically significant association between number of injuries and gender (P = 0.040), but no significant association between number of injuries and age (P = 0.163). The percentage of victims injured in the head and face corresponded to 56.3%, with a statistically significant association between the presence of injury in the head and face and gender (P = 0.046). As much as 12.4% of the children and adolescents presented intraoral injuries, with no significant difference between genders (P = 0.543). However, a statistically significant association was observed between the number of existing injuries and the presence of oral injuries (P = 0.005). The maxilla was predominantly affected (55.6%), most injuries (94.8%) being soft-tissue lacerations located mainly in the upper lip (46.4%). The findings of this survey revealed a high prevalence of injuries to the head and orofacial region of physically abused children and adolescents.

Maltrato infantil: conocimientos y conductas de los cirujanos dentistas de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia de Guarabira-PB

“…Nesse contexto, o cirurgião-dentista possui uma importância inquestionável, posto que grande parte das lesões ocorra na região de cabeça e face 9 .…”

“…Neste estudo, dos 12 eventos relatados, em apenas 16,7% houve lesões intra-orais, com maior acometimento de tecidos duros. Na pesquisa feita por Cavalcanti 9 , as lesões orofaciais foram diagnosticadas em 56,3% dos casos. Dessas lesões a maioria envolvia maxila e mandíbula; sendo que do total dos ferimentos intra-orais, as lacerações em tecidos moles foram mais prevalentes em relação as lesões dentárias.…”

“…Dessas lesões a maioria envolvia maxila e mandíbula; sendo que do total dos ferimentos intra-orais, as lacerações em tecidos moles foram mais prevalentes em relação as lesões dentárias. As divergências nos resultados podem ser explicadas em função do tipo de estudo realizado, posto que Cavalcanti 9 analisou os laudos periciais do Instituto de Medicina Legal.…”

“…Os profissionais atuantes na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), pelo contato direto e vínculo com as famílias, emergem como elementos-chave na prevenção, detecção, intervenção e encaminhamento aos órgãos competentes 7 , sobretudo, o Cirurgião-Dentista (CD), pois as estatísticas têm mostrado que mais de 50% dos casos de abuso infantil incluem trauma na região de boca, face e cabeça 8,9 .…”

Hidden Behind Dental Trauma: Child Physical Abuse?

“…Almost 50% of all physical abuse relates to injuries in orofacial region. A recent study findings revealed a high prevalence of injuries to the head and orofacial region of physically abused children and adolescents [5]. Bruising is the most common injury sustained by children [6].…”