TITLE:
Domestic Accidents in Under-Fives: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes
AUTHORS:
Florent Tshibwid A. Zeng, Papa Alassane Mbaye, Doudou Gueye, Papa Mamadou Ndoye, Ibrahima Bocar Wellé, Ndeye Fatou Seck, Mbaye Fall, Ndeye Aby Ndoye, Aloïse Sagna, Oumar Ndour, Gabriel Ngom
KEYWORDS:
Domestic Accidents, Under-Fives, Infants, Preschool Children, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.12 No.5,
October
28,
2022
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.