title: Epidemiology and pattern of paediatric and adolescent trauma deaths in a level 1 trauma centre in Benin city, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trauma is a common cause of death amongst children/adolescents, and data on its epidemiology and pattern are crucial for policy formulation. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology and pattern of paediatric/adolescent trauma death in a Nigerian referral trauma centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical and autopsy data of all paediatric/adolescent trauma death at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between 1999 and 2010 were analysed in a retrospective study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 905 trauma-related deaths, 78 (9%) involved children/adolescents who comprised 49 males and 29 females, with a male/female ratio 1.7:1 and a mean age of 9.2 ± 5 years (range <1-18 years). The Injury-Arrival time varied from 1h to 4 days (mean 18 h). Thirteen (17%) cases were dead on arrival (DOA), and majority of the deaths occurred within the first week on admission. Road traffic accident (RTA), accounting for 61 (78%) cases, was the leading cause of trauma death. Other causes included burns, eight (10%); gunshot injury, five (6%); and stab and sport injuries, two (3%) cases each. Head injury which occurred in 44 (56%) cases was the commonest cause of death, followed by haemorrhagic shock in 25 (32%), hypovolaemic shock in five (6%), septic shock in three (4%) and spinal cord injury in one (1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Head injury following RTA was the major cause of paediatric/adolescent trauma deaths. Increased road safety campaign, appropriate injury control policies, legislations, enforcement, development of high-quality trauma system, and emergency medical services are advocated.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Surgery, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Osarumwense David
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Osifo
authors.forename: Pius Ehiawaguan
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Iribhogbe
authors.forename: Ezekiel Enoghama
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ugiagbe
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D017677:Age Distribution; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D001344:Autopsy; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011050:Policy Making; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control