Home environment and minor facial trauma in preschool children with an emphasis on soft tissue injuries

Abstract

BackgroundMinor facial trauma, such as dental and soft tissue injuries, was seen frequently at home in young children. To better understand the relationship between a home environment and minor facial trauma in preschool children, a retrospectively study was undertaken to investigate the places where minor facial trauma occurred and the potentially hazardous objects associated with soft tissue injuries in the home. Patients and methodsA retrospective review of pediatric patients treated between 1985 and 2009 was carried out. 185 patients with dental or soft tissue injuries in isolation, aged 6 years or younger, were enrolled in this study. ResultsEighty-one patients (43.8%) with traumatic dental injuries and 104 patients (56.2%) with soft tissue injuries were observed. The frequency of minor facial trauma including dental and soft tissue injuries in the home was significantly higher than that out of the home (65.4% vs. 30.2%, P<0.001). Of the 81 cases with soft tissue injuries at home, 42 cases (51.9%) were associated with movable objects such as unnamed objects (18.6%), desks or tables (13.6%), toys (8.6%), and electronic devices (3.7%), and 18 cases (22.2%) were associated with unmoving objects such as floors and steps. ConclusionThe present study suggests that the home environment has a close relationship with minor facial trauma. Potentially hazardous objects in the home, especially potentially hazardous movable objects, were associated with soft tissue injuries. Attention to potentially hazardous objects in the home may be of value as a prevention strategy.