Pediatric Injury Patterns and Outcomes in Cameroon: A Hospital-Based Audit from Two Tertiary Hospitals
Profils Lésionnels et Issues Cliniques des Traumatismes Pédiatriques au Cameroun : Un Audit Hospitalier au Sein de Deux Hôpitaux de Référence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19635699Keywords:
Pediatric Trauma, Injury Patterns, Outcomes, Cameroon, Road Traffic InjuriesAbstract
Introduction. Pediatric trauma is a major public health challenge in low-income countries, where 95% of childhood injury-related deaths occur. However, data on pediatric injuries in Cameroon remain scarce. This study aimed to characterize the patterns and outcomes of pediatric trauma in two tertiary hospitals in the South-West Region of Cameroon. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric trauma cases (aged 0–18 years) hospitalized between January 2019 and December 2023. Data was collected from hospital records and analyzed. Patients were stratified by mechanism of injury, age group, and injury severity. Results. We included 394 records with male predominance (248, 62.94%) and a mean age of 10.7±5.5 years. Most injuries occurred on roadsides and streets (227, 57.6%) and at home (121, 30.7%). Road traffic accidents (192, 48.7%) and falls (97, 24.6%) were the leading causes. Road traffic injuries were predominant in adolescents (15–18 years, 40.1%) and burns in children ≤4 years (46.5%). The extremities (175, 44.5%) and skin (221, 56.2%) were the most affected sites, and head injuries were frequent. Blunt trauma comprised 72.8% of injuries, and thermal burns represented 96.4% of burns. The mean hospital stay was 8.8±13.3 days; older children experienced significantly longer admissions (p=0.018). The Pediatric Trauma Score correlated strongly with length of stay (p<0.001). Predictors of severe injury included major or penetrating wounds, multiple or open fractures, and a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤13. Most patients (76.4%) improved on discharge. The mortality rate was 1.3%. Conclusion. This study provides epidemiological insights into pediatric trauma in Cameroon, emphasizing road traffic accidents and falls as predominant causes. There is an urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and timely clinical interventions to reduce the burden and improve outcomes of pediatric injuries.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ngwane Ntongwetape, Choffor Nchinda, Nyami L, Mokake Martin, Djike Yolande, Mbelle R, Bang GA, Chichom M, Ngowe N, Essomba A
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