Major injuries from “domestic” animals in children

Abstract

Domestic animals are a potential cause of serious injury to handlers and children. In developed countries dogs are the most common cause of such injuries, but in developing countries childhood injuries from domestic animals have not been given much attention. A retrospective analysis of major injuries from domestic animal attacks in children aged 12 years or less in a developing country showed 17 injuries in 16 children. The locations were the abdomen (6), head and neck (4), extremities (3), external genitalia (3), and back (1). A big-horned cow was the cause of injury in 11 patients, a donkey in 4 and a ram in 1. Children under 10 years were injured by provoked animals, mostly as bystanders, while older children were handlers. Four abdominal injuries were penetrating with evisceration and contusion of bowel and required a laparotomy. One blunt splenic injury was managed non operatively and one by partial splenectomy. Two head injuries were managed non operatively. All other injuries were examined and explored with the child under general anaesthesia. These injuries were debrided and closed primarily or closure was delayed when contamination was heavy or adequate debridement was limited by vital neighbouring structures. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis were given for all open wounds. The average duration of hospital stay was 7.3 days. Three patients had wound infections resulting in long hospitalizations. Two patients died (12.5%), 1 from a severe head injury and 1 from an overwhelming infection. The management of major injuries from domestic animals in children requires meticulous evaluation and examination during general anaesthesia to establish the extent of injury and avoid missed injuries. Prevention of these injuries requires public education about the proper and compassionate handling of domestic animals.