Craniofacial Trauma in Children

Children are more vulnerable to craniofacial injuries due to their higher cranial mass-to-body ratio. The pediatric population sustains 1 to 14.7% of all facial injuries. The pattern of craniomaxillofacial fractures found in children varies with their changing craniofacial anatomy necessitating treatment procedures that differ from those used in adults. Incomplete communication with the patient insufficient radiographic evaluation in the restless children or late presentation of the patient by the family can all lead to missed facial fractures in children. A rigorous monitoring and treatment strategy must be used in every trauma patient including hard tissue trauma and other dentoalveolar injuries to have a successful outcome.