Incidence of infection in pediatric patients with laceration.

Lacerations are common in emergency departments. A review of pediatric patients was carried out to determine the infection rate. During a three-month period, from August to October, 415 patients were prospectively evaluated to determine the occurrence of infections in sutured lacerations. Sixty-nine patients (16%) were lost to follow-up. Seven patients (2%) developed infections. The infection rate in the lower extremities was 8.5% (P less than 0.0001). Six lacerations (5.3%) greater than 3 cm in size became infected, compared to one (0.4%) that was smaller than 3 cm (P less than 0.0001). Falls accounted for 61% of the injuries. The infection rate in children is less than that in adults. However, large lacerations in the lower extremities are at greater risk.