Animal Bites Cases Presented to a University Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies is still one of the important public health problems both in the world and in our country. The highest risk of rabies comes from contact with pets, especially dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment steps that are used in the management of cases presenting to the pediatric emergency department in a university hospital with a risk of rabies contact. Methods: Data including age, gender, site of bites, kind of animals, tetanus/rabies prophylaxis, antibiotic treatments and forensic case reports were recorded for the animal bite cases between 2009 and 2016. Results: A total of 94 patients [58 males (61.7%)] with a mean age of 11.06±4.77 years (range: 2-18) were included in the study. 43.6% of the cases presented to the pediatric emergency department within eight hours after the contact. 73.4% of patients presented due to dog bites, 25.5% for cat bite and one patient was with mice bite. In 34% of cases, the bite was on the hand. 50% of the bites were on torso in the 0-5 age group, 41.7% on upper extremities in the 6-10 age group, 50% on feet in the 11-15 age group, and 53.8% on lower extremities in the 16-18 age group (p<0.05). 56.4% of cases were reported as forensic cases. In 91.5% of cases, the wounds were cleaned and dressed while in the rest, the wounds were cleaned and sutured. 17% of patients were discharged on antibiotherapy. In only one of the cases, the patient was hospitalized for parenteral antibiotherapy. All the other patients were discharged. Conclusion: Although animal bites are very common cases for both adult emergency departments and pediatric emergency department, still many mistakes can be made in the treatment of these cases. In order to prevent these mistakes, the knowledge and skills of the healthcare professionals should be enhanced.

Keywords

• Child
• cat
• dog
• bite
• animal bites
• rabies prophylaxis