Clinical spectrum of paediatric head injury. A prospective study from tribal region

Abstract

<jats:p>Introduction: Traumatic brain injury is considered as a major health problem which causes frequent deaths and disabilities in the paediatric population with special concern to tribal regions of developing countries like India where aetiology of traumatic brain injury in the paediatric population fall from height dominant over the road traffic accident as a major.&#x0D; Aim &amp; Objective: The aim is to analyse the epidemiology, mechanism, clinical presentation, severity and outcome of paediatric head injury in the tribal region of northern India that could help to make preventive policies to improve their care.&#x0D; Material Methods: It is a prospective observational study of 345 children of up to 18 years of age admitted under Department of Neurosurgery from October 2017 to April 2019.&#x0D; Results: The study population comprised of 345 paediatric patients. Mean age was 9.25 years.36.81% patients were in 1-6-year age group and male to female ratio was 2.45. The most common cause for trauma was fall from height in 179(52%) cases followed by RTA in 141(41%) cases. The most common radiological finding was depressed skull fractures in 97(50%) cases. There was 35% mortality in severe head injury patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study through some light on the different scenario of head injury in Tribal regions of Developing country and will help to formulate effective strategies for prevention and better care of the patients.</jats:p>