Paediatric Facial Fractures: One-year Survey of 23 Government Hospitals in Malaysia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of facial fractures in children under 15 years of age in Malaysia.Patients andMethods: A prospective study was conducted of the pattern of presentation and treatment of facial bone fractures in paediatric patients under the age of 15 years treated at 23 major government hospitals of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, from 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2003.Results: 113 cases of facial fractures in children were recorded. The male-to-female ratio was 3.2:1.0, with Malays accounting for 80% of all cases. No patient below 1 year of age was reported and 15-year-olds represented the single largest group (32.7%). Motor vehicle accidents were the major cause (83%). The mandible was the most common bone to fracture (65%), with the mandibular body being the commonest fracture site. Midface fractures occurred in 25% with the zygoma being the commonest bone involved. Only 10% of cases involved both jaws.Conclusion: As the major cause of fractured facial bones in the paediatric population is motor vehicle accidents, preventive legislation, improved road construction measures, and vehicle safety modifications would be helpful.