Injury mortality and morbidity among children in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the major causes of accident mortality and morbidity among children (0–14 years) in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A retrospective descriptive study was set in the Al-Ain Hospital and Preventive Medicine Department, Ministry of Health, Al-Ain. Subjects were all patients aged 0–14 years who were seen at Al-Ain Hospital for injury during the 12-month period January to December 1995, and all recorded deaths aged 0–14 years in Preventive Medicine Department from 1980 to 1995. Results. Mortality: 301 children (69.4% males, 30.6% females) died after accidents from 1980 to 1995. UAE citizens and other Arabs represented the majority of deaths. Most mortality (28.6%) occurred in the 1–4 year age group. Head and neck injury was the major type of injury causing death (57.5%). The most common cause of accidental death was road traffic accidents (boys 67.1%, girls 60.4%), followed by drowning and burns (8%). Morbidity: Pediatric trauma cases seen during 1995 totaled 17,498, representing one third of all patients attending the Hospital Emergency Room. About 70% of encountered injuries occurred among boys; 44.6% of cases were UAE citizens. The most common trauma type was contusion (40.2% boys; 40.6% girls), the most common type of trauma in boys and girls (30.4% and 36%, respectively). In the age group <5 years, the most common causes of trauma were fall (41.1%), blunt trauma (38.7%) and burns or scalds (64%), while in 5–9 year olds, the most common cause was road traffic accidents (40%). Finally, in 10–14 year olds, the most frequent causes were traffic accidents (32.8%) sharp objects injuries (38.3%), and fights and sporting (28.9%). Conclusion: More boys than girls presented with injury and the majority were nationals. Road traffic accidents mainly occurred in children over 10 years.