Pediatric fractures of the facial skeleton: a survey of 85 cases from Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of 1,447 cases of fractures of the facial skeleton from Kaduna, Nigeria, showed that 85 cases (5.9%) occurred in children younger than 13 years. The lowest incidence recorded was in the group of patients younger than age 3 but there was a gradual increase up to the age of 13 years, with the highest incidence occurring in the 12- to 13-year-old age group. The male-to-female ratio was 2.1 to 1. The site distribution in descending order of frequency was body of the mandible, mandibular condylar process, angle of the mandible, malar and nasal complexes, maxilla, and ascending ramus of the mandible. Most of the fractures were immobilized by simple methods, and union was achieved within two to six weeks. Of the 12 fractures of the condylar process, ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint developed in six; in addition, two had mandibular undergrowth.