@article{ref1,
title="Diversity of spectrum and management of animal-inflicted injuries in the pediatric age group: a prospective study from a pediatric surgery department catering primarily to the rural population",
journal="Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons",
year="2020",
author="Rahman, Rafey Abdul and Gupta, Umesh Kumar and Agrawal, Shashank and Goel, Prabudh and Alim, Muniba",
volume="25",
number="4",
pages="225-230",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Animal-inflicted injuries continue to be a major health problem worldwide. In developing countries, the outcome of such injuries, especially in children may be poor.  Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the diversity of spectrum and management of animal-inflicted injuries in the pediatric age group.   Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study on animal-inflicted injuries in children between 1 to 15 years of age over a period of 12 months. Data on various parameters such as age and sex, animal species involved, provoked/unprovoked, mechanism of injury, time of injury, prehospital care, injury-arrival interval, pattern and type of injury, trauma score, body region injured, treatment given and complications were collected and analyzed.   Results: Fifty-two children with animal-inflicted injuries were included, constituting <1% of all trauma cases seen during the study period (male:female = 2:1). The mean age of the cohort was 9.65 years. Domestic animals were responsible in 41 children (78.84%) and wild animals in 11 children (21.16%). Dog bites were the most common (57.69%). Penetrating injury was observed in 40 (76.9%) and blunt injury was observed in 12 (23.1%). The musculoskeletal system was the most common organ-system injured affecting 36 children (69.23%). Thirty-five children (67.3%) after minor treatment were discharged. Seventeen children (32.7%) required admission. Thirty-four children (65.38%) underwent surgical procedures. Wound debridement was the most common procedure performed. Wound infection was observed in 20 children (38.46%) and was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in delayed presenters. The length of hospital stay for the admitted children ranged from 3 to 28 days.   Conclusion: Animal-inflicted injuries are rare in children and have a wide spectrum of presentation. Severe injuries require extensive resuscitation and expert surgical care. Mild injuries can be managed conservatively with the use of proper dressings, antibiotics, and analgesics.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0971-9261",
doi="10.4103/jiaps.JIAPS_114_19",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jiaps.JIAPS_114_19"
}