Authors:

Abstract

Introduction: Children are more susceptible to injuries due to their inability to protect themselves. Our study aims to determine the socio-demographic profile, causative factors, intent, and severity of injuries in children presenting to the Teaching Hospital Complex Peradeniya for clinical forensic examination (CFE).

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Children who presented for clinical forensic examination for a period of one year (from September 2017 up to September 2018) to Teaching Hospital Complex, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, were included. Data was collected using a questionnaire at the time of clinical forensic examination where the Medico-legal examination form (MLEF) was also completed. Written informed consent was obtained from both the patient and guardian for routine medico-legal procedures and for inclusion in the study.

Results: Two hundred and forty-two children were recruited. One hundred and fifty-seven (65%) were male. The majority (43%) were between 16-18 years of age. Most of the injuries were due to road traffic accidents (RTA) (61%) followed by assault (18%), sexual abuse (12%), and accidental falls (5%). ‘Other’ types of injury or presentations were seen in 9 (4%) which was due to poisoning, drowning, air gun injury or burns. Males were predominantly affected except in the category of sexual abuse. Twice the number of males sustained injuries due to RTA compared to females, while three times the number of males was affected by assaults compared to females. The main category of hurt was non-grievous (62%). In this cohort, 31% had intentional trauma with a male predominance.

Keywords: Child sexual abuse, Road traffic accidents, Trauma, Violence