Document Detail


Dog bites in urban children.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  2057274     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
As a result of a perceived increase in pit bull injuries, all children who presented to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia during 1989 for evaluation of dog bite injuries were prospectively studied. Epidemiologic information was collected from parents, either at the time of visit or by phone on the following day. A total of 168 children were enrolled; the mean age was 8 years. Males outnumbered females 1.5:1. Most (61%) injuries occurred in or around the home and involved dogs known to the patient (77%). Types of injuries included abrasions (33%), punctures (29%), and lacerations (38%). Thirteen bites had associated complications; nine developed infection. Twelve (7%) children required admission to the hospital. More than 12 different purebreeds or cross-breeds were identified as perpetrators, including German shepherds (n = 35), pit bulls (n = 33), rottweilers (n = 9), and Dobermans (n = 7). Most (54%) animals were contained (ie, leashed, fenced, in-house) at the time of injury. Fewer (46%) were provoked prior to biting. Significantly more pit bull injuries (94% vs 43%, P less than .001) were the consequence of unprovoked attacks and involved freely roaming animals (67% vs 41%, P less than .01). Children aged 5 or younger were more likely to provoke animals prior to injury than were older children (69% vs 36%, P less than .001). It is recommended that families with young children be the target of pet safety education and that measures be sought that would lead to early identification of a potentially dangerous dog and restrict ownership.
Authors:
J R Avner; M D Baker
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pediatrics     Volume:  88     ISSN:  0031-4005     ISO Abbreviation:  Pediatrics     Publication Date:  1991 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1991-07-31     Completed Date:  1991-07-31     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376422     Medline TA:  Pediatrics     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  55-7     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Division of General Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Age Factors
Animals
Bites and Stings / complications,  epidemiology*,  etiology
Child
Dogs*
Emergencies
Humans
Philadelphia / epidemiology
Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
Wound Infection / epidemiology,  etiology
Wounds, Penetrating / epidemiology,  etiology
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Pediatrics. 1992 Feb;89(2):356-7   [PMID:  1734418 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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