Peer-reviewed article
Assault Related Otorhinolaryngology Head And Neck Injuries In Children And Adolescents: A Prospective Study From A Tertiary Health Institution In Southwestern Nigeria.
Olofinbiyi RO, Adegbiji WA, Agbesanwa TA, Adegbiji KA, Okon M et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined assault-related head and neck injuries in 368 children and adolescents treated at a Nigerian hospital between 2019 and 2023. Adolescents aged 13-18 made up 44% of cases, with physical abuse by family members being the most common cause. Nasal injuries and blunt trauma were most frequent, with surgical management reducing complications compared to conservative treatment. Children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and those living in rural areas faced worse outcomes, including higher disability rates and delayed access to care.
Key points
- Adolescents (13-18 years) comprised 44% of assault-related otorhinolaryngology injuries, with 55% of patients being male
- Physical abuse by family members accounted for 45.65% of cases, with 67.39% involving physical abuse overall
- Nasal injuries were most frequent (40.22%), and blunt trauma comprised 61.41% of injury types
- Surgical management reduced complications to 32.65% compared to 53.33% with conservative treatment
- Low socioeconomic status independently predicted severe injury and disability; rural dwellers presented 18 hours later than urban residents
Limitations
This is a hospital-based study from a single tertiary institution in Nigeria, which may not represent the full burden of assault-related injuries in the community or other regions. The study does not provide detailed information about longer-term psychosocial outcomes or rehabilitation success.
Abstract
Background Children and adolescents' assault-related otorhinolaryngology injuries pose critical public health challenges in resource-limited settings, yet comprehensive data from developing countries remain scarce. This study determined the otorhinolaryngology head and neck presentation, epidemiology, pathology, and management of children and adolescents with assault over a 5-year period of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgical practices in Nigeria. Methodology A prospective study of 368 patients aged <1-18 years treated for assault-related otorhinolaryngology injuries (2019-2023) at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Data included sociodemographics, injury profiles, management, and outcomes. Statistical analyses employed descriptive frequencies, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and multivariable regression (SPSS version 29.0; α=0.05). Results Adolescents (13-18 years) comprised 44.02% of cases, with male predominance (54.62%). Physical abuse (67.39%) by family members (45.65%) was predominant, peaking in summer (30.43%). Nasal injuries (40.22%) and blunt trauma (61.41%) were most frequent; 12.50% had life-threatening severity (ISS ≥16). Infections (20.65%) were the leading complication. Rural dwellers presented 18 hours later than urban counterparts (median 36h vs. 18h; p<0.001). Surgical management reduced complications by 20.68% vs. conservative treatment (32.65% vs. 53.33%; OR=0.42, p=0.004). Low SES independently predicted severe injury (OR=2.44, 95% CI:1.33-4.47) and disability (OR=1.82, 95% CI:1.12-2.97). 2.17% (n=8), linked to delayed presentation (>72h: OR=2.51, p=0.001) and severe ISS. Conclusion Assault-related children and adolescent otorhinolaryngology injuries in developing countries reflect intersecting vulnerabilities: poverty, healthcare access barriers, and family-centered violence. Decentralizing trauma care, criminalizing corporal punishment, and prioritizing surgical triage for high-risk injuries (neck/throat: OR=4.26) are urgently needed to reduce mortality and disability.