CLINICAL REVIEW OF EAR, NOSE AND THROAT INJURIES IN CHILDREN

Objective: The aim of present study was to carry out a retrospective analysis of types and causes of ENT injuries in pediatric age group. Patients and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of types and causes of 40 children up to the age of 14 years with ENT injuries managed in the department in the period from March 2019 to April 2021. Results: The total number of patients was 40 and it comprised of 31 males (77.5%) and 9 females (22.5%). Twelve (30%) of the children were under the age of 5 years, 14(35%) were 6-10 years of age and 14 (35%) in the age group of 11–14 years. The most common injury was nasal bone fracture (28.45%) The lacerated soft palate was the second common injury which account for (22.5 percent). The most prevalent site of injury was the nose region. About 32.5 percent of the injuries were caused by falls and accidents, which included falling from roof, trees, beds or cribs, and falls while sporting. About 35% of all injuries are caused by pointy items in the mouth and traffic accidents. The falls while playing in addition to injury with pointy materials was observed in patients under the age of five years. Blunt trauma, falls from stairs and during playing, as well as damage with pointed items, were the most common etiological causes in children aged 6–10. The ages of 11–14 years were shown to be the most vulnerable to falls and traffic accidents. Conclusion: ENT injuries in children differ from those in adults in terms of type and mechanism. Prophylactic measures should be adopted for children who are at risk of ENT injuries.