Abstract

SCHVARTZMAN, Sergio D.  and  PACIN, Mirta B.. Lesiones por mordedura de perro en niños. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2005, vol.103, n.5, pp.389-395. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction and objetive. To describe the epidemiologic characteristics of dog-bite related injuries and to identify patterns in the host, the agent and the environment that may be useful to develop prevention strategies. Population, material and methods. Cross-sectional, descriptive study including all patients under 14 who were treated for a dog-bite-related injury at our Pediatric Emergency Department from May 22^nd, 2001 to May 21^st, 2002. Results. A total of 131 patients were treated. The median age was 7 ± 3.5 years (range 14 months to 14 years), with a 2:1 male/female ratio. When compared with older children, victims younger than five were more likely to suffer a provoked attack (OR: 5.87 CI95% 2.37- 14.83) and to be bitten in their face, head or neck (OR 9.90 CI95% 3.92- 25.59). Victims bitten at home (62%) were significatively younger than those bitten at public places (5.6 vs. 8 years; p= 0,003). Sixty-nine percent of the dogs were male and most of them belonged to a neighbour. Four percent of the lesions were serious, none fatal. There were no relationship between dog's breed and severity of injuries. Conclusions. There was a higher proportion of bites that occurred at public places. In this scenario, the typical victim was a schoolboy bitten in his lower limbs by a neighbour's freely roaming dog. When bites occurred indoors, victims tended to be younger, attacks were usually provoked and lesions involved the head. Prevention strategies are proposed.

Keywords : Epidemiology; Prevention and control; Dog bites; Children.

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