Risk factors for increased length of hospital stay among young pediatric patients who suffer facial fractures.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It is not known whether the mechanism of facial trauma influences the associated length of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to determine whether the mechanism of injury influenced the length of hospital stay (LOS) among pediatric patients who sustained facial fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was completed using the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). The primary predictor variable was the mechanism of injury. The primary outcome variable was LOS. Linear regression was used to determine independent predictors of increased/decreased length of stay. A p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 2865 subjects aged 12 years or younger who had suffered facial fractures. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents (MVA) (58.6%). Facial fractures due to MVA added 1.20 days (95% CI, 0.02, 2.38; p < .05) when compared to those due to a fall.

CONCLUSIONS

MVA significantly prolonged the LOS among young pediatric patients who sustained facial fractures, reflecting the exceptional amount of force involved. Having a chronic condition was also a significant factor for longer LOS. Four or more fractures also led to a longer LOS.