Pediatric patients with facial fractures: a retrospective study.

Background: Epidemiology of maxillofacial injuries vary depending on geographic location, culture and socioeconomic condition. This study assessed etiology and pattern of facial fractures in children reported at Burdwan Dental College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India.

Methods: Clinical files of 206 children with facial fractures were evaluated retrospectively. Diagnosis of fractures were confirmed by radiographic examination. Study period was from July 2018 to June 2022. Data collected were age and sex of the patient, site of fracture, and etiology of trauma. Descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis with a P-value less than 0.05.

Results: There were 127 (61.7%) males and 79 (38.3%) females with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Within the study sample, the majority of facial fractures (n= 146, 70.9%) belonged to 6-to-9-year age group. Overall, falls (44.2%) and motor vehicles accidents (31.5%) were the two leading causes of trauma. Mandible fracture was the most common, accounting for 72.8% of cases. 74 patients (35.9%) with facial fracture had dental injuries.

Conclusions: Male predominance in facial fracture is seen. With age, frequency of facial fractures tends to increase. Falls are the main cause of facial fracture and mandible is the most common anatomic location.