Pattern of paediatric corneal laceration injuries in the University of port Harcourt teaching hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria

BMC Research Notes

Henrietta Nwachukwu²  Adedayo Omobolanle Adio¹ 

[1]Department of Ophthalmology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers state, Nigeria

[2]Eye clinic, University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria

关键词: Nigeria;    University of port harcourt teaching hospital;    Ocular injury;    Paediatric trauma;    Penetrating injury;    Missiles;    Corneal laceration;   

Others  :  1165029
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-5-683

 received in 2012-06-29, accepted in 2012-12-10,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Corneal lacerations mostly affect younger children, commonly males, who will constitute the majority of the workforce. Clinical outcomes are reviewed and compared so that measures to reduce their occurrence and improve outcome can be proffered.

Methods

Records of all children between the ages of 1-18 yrs, who presented with penetrating eye injuries at the eye clinic of the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria between January 2002 and December 2009 were included. Information retrieved -patient’s Bio data, presenting symptoms, presenting visual acuity (VA), source of injury, surgical intervention and outcome using VA. All data analysed with EPI Info version 6 with the aid of a statistician.

Results

Folders of thirty-six children (36 eyes) between the ages of 0–18 years diagnosed with corneal laceration over a period of 8 years out of 65 cases managed within that period available. Other folders reported as missing. Male female ratio 3:1, the mean age is 8.7 years (SD ± 3.67). Only one presented within 24 hours. Objects causing injury mainly missiles with stones/catapult injuries (n = 8, 22.2%). Presenting VAs in those that could be measured, ranged from 6/24 to 6/60 (n = 4, 11%) to no light perception (NLP) (n = 5, 13.9%). Associated injuries include lid laceration, cataract, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment. Twenty one patients had primary corneal repair (58.3%) carried out within 7 days of presentation. Four had endophthalmitis. After 3 months follow up, VA of 6/60 and better was achieved in 11 of 18 eyes left in follow up (6/60-6/24 in 8 eyes (22.2%), 6/18 and better in 3 eyes (8.3%).

Conclusion

Most eye injuries in children are preventable. In this study, the prognosis was better in those whose injuries were confined to a peripheral part of the cornea, with no other associated injury, who presented within 5 days and who did not have any intraocular infection at the time of presentation. The importance of health education, adult supervision of play and application of appropriate measures that is necessary for reducing the incidence and severity of trauma is emphasized.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Adio and Nwachukwu; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Segev F, Assia EI, Harizman N, Barequet I, Almer Z, Raz J, Moisseiev J: Corneal laceration by sharp objects in children seven years of age and younger. Cornea 2007, 26(3):319-323.
• [2]American academy of ophthalmology: Basic and clinical science course 2010-2011. [External disease and Cornea] Section 8;1st edition
• [3]Négrel AD, Thylefors B: The global impact of eye injuries. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 1998, 5(3):143-169.
• [4]Ashaye AO, Oluleye TS: Pattern of corneal opacity in Ibadan, Nigeria. Ann Afr Med 2004, 3(4):185-187.
• [5]Baiyeroju-Agbeja AM, Olurin-Aina OI: Penetrating eye injuries in children in Ibadan. Afr J Med Med Sci 1998, 27(1–2):13-15.
• [6]Sternberg P Jr, de Juan E Jr, Michels RG: Penetrating ocular injuries in young patients. Initial injuries and visual results. Retina 1984, 4(1):5-8.
• [7]El-Sebaity DM, Soliman W, Soliman AM, Fathalla AM: Paediatric eye injuries in upper Egypt. Clin Ophthalmol 2011, 5:1417-1423.
• [8]Saxena R, Sinha R, Purohit A, Dada T, Vajpayee RB, Azad RV: Pattern of paediatric ocular trauma in India. Indian J Pediatr 2002, 69(10):863-867.
• [9]Onyekonwu GC, Chuka-Okosat CM: Pattern and visual outcome of eye injuries in children at Abakaliki, Nigeria. West Afr J Med 2008, 27(3):152-154.
• [10]Al-Mahdi HS, Bener A, Hashim SP: Clinical pattern of paediatric ocular trauma in fast developing country. Int Emerg Nurs 2011, 19(4):186-191.
• [11]Thompson CG, Kumar N, Billson FA, Martin F: The aetiology of perforating ocular injuries in children. Br J Ophthalmol 2002, 86(8):920-922.
• [12]Lee CH, Su WY, Lee L, Yang ML: Paediatric ocular trauma in Taiwan. Chang Gung Med J 2008, 31(1):59-65.
• [13]Liu ML, Chang YS, Tseng SH, Cheng HC, Huang FC, Shih MH, Hsu SM, Kuo PH: Major paediatric ocular trauma in Taiwan. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2010, 47(2):88-95.
• [14]Nwosu SNN: Ocular problems of young adults in rural Nigeria. Int Ophthalmol 1998, 22:250-263.
• [15]Grieshaber MC, Stegmann R: Penetrating eye injuries in south African children: aetiology and visual outcome. Eye (Lond) 2006, 20(7):789-795.
• [16]Mselle J: Visual impact of using traditional medicine on the injured eye in Africa. Acta Trop 1998, 70(2):185-192.
• [17]Gordon YJ, Mokete M: Paediatric ocular injuries in Lesotho. Doc Ophthalmol 1982, 53(3):283-289.
• [18]Faghihi H, Hajizadeh F, Esfahani MR, Rasoulinejad SA, Lashay A, Mirshahi A, Karkhaneh R, Tabatabaey A, Khabazkhoob M, Faghihi S: Post traumatic endophthalmitis: report no. 2. Retina 2012, 32(1):146-151.
• [19]MacEwen CJ, Baines PS, Desai P: Eye injuries in children: the current picture. Br J Ophthalmol 1999, 83(8):933-936.