Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
Abstract
Background: Medical Literature identities injuries as the most
important preventable cause of death and disability in children beyond
the first few months of life. Methods: A descriptive prospective study
undertaken between October 2003 and July 2004 at Kenyatta National
Hospital on children below the age of 13 years. Results: A total of 187
patients were admitted to KNH with trauma during that period. The age
range was liont3 weeks to 12 years 4 months with a mean age of 3.9
years. There were 53.5% males and 46.5% females. Burns accounted for
34.8% falls 25.1%. Foreign bodies 17.6% while 8% were a result of road
traffic accidents. Conclusions: Traumatic burns accounted for the
highest single cause of trauma at 34.8% (n = 65). 92.3% of those burnt
were aged 5 years and below. Most of these burns occurred in homes and
were preventable