Fractures of the mandible in children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pattern of occurrence of mandibular fractures in a paediatric population.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.


METHODS
Seventy two paediatric patients seen and managed between 1989 and 1998.


RESULTS
Road traffic accidents were the most common (52.8%) cause of mandibular fractures. The majority of the patients (57.0%) were within the age group (12-16 years). The body of the mandible was involved in 43.4% of the fractures. Eyelet wires with intermaxillary fixation was used in 41.7% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to enforce legislation aimed at preventing road traffic accidents to reduce maxillofacial injuries among children.
Fasola
A O
AO
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine University College Hospital, lbadan, Nigeria.
Obiechina
A E
AE
Arotiba
J T
JT
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies