Head Injury in Children: A 3-Year Review from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background and Goals: Traumatic brain injury is still a major global health issue, especially for children in middle-income and low-income countries. The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the prevalence, clinical features, and results of pediatric head injuries at a tertiary care facility in South Punjab, Pakistan, over a three-year period.

Methodology: Between January 2019 and December 2021, 384 children ages 0–14 who presented with confirmed head trauma had their data obtained. To ensure accuracy and consistency, data was collected methodically from case files and electronic medical records using a pre-made data collection form. Demographic information, clinical presentation, treatment methods, and results were among the variables. SPSS v.26.0 was used to analyze the data.

Findings: The study found that the prevalence was slightly higher in females (54.7%), with a nearly equal gender distribution. Sports injuries, assaults, and being struck by objects were among the most frequent causes of injury. Mild, moderate, and severe cases were equally distributed across severity levels according to the Glasgow Coma Scale. Radiological evaluations often revealed extradural hemorrhage, brain edema, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Complications like aspiration pneumonia, CNS infections, and wound infections were common, and a sizable percentage of patients (45.3%) needed surgical intervention. Poor outcomes occurred in 55.2% of the cases overall, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced trauma care infrastructure and preventative measures.

Conclusion: The study concludes that in order to lessen the prevalence of pediatric TBI in underprivileged areas like South Punjab, targeted public health policies, early diagnosis procedures, and rehabilitation services are desperately needed.