Analysis of Nonfatal Dog Bites in Children in a Midwestern City

Dog bite injuries are a significant public health problem among children. The incidence of dog bite injuries requiring emergency room treatment in the United States is 12.9 per 10,000 people. Before implementation of effective prevention strategies at the local level, it is essential to understand the epidemiology of dog bite injuries. Purpose: To assess the incidence and characteristics of dog bite injuries treated in the emergency departments of two Level 1 trauma centers in a Midwestern city. Methods: A hospital computerized database containing all patients treated at the emergency department was used to identify all patients less than 18 years old who had been treated for a dog bite from 1999-2005. Data was examined by demographics (age, gender, etc.), treatment information (e.g., location of bites, type of health plan, costs), geographical area, yearly and monthly distribution. Results: During a seven-year period, 1,144 children under 18 years old were treated for dog bites. Dog bite victims were most likely to be male (56%) and under 10 years of age (68%). Children under 4 years of age were more likely to sustain injuries to the face, head, and neck. Children under 9 years were more likely to require hospitalization (OR 2.60; CI= 1.33 to 5.08) compared to older children. Conclusions: Study indicates a need to assess dogs in home and educate parents on dog and infant safety. While educational interventions may be useful at school-age children, there is also a need for interventions at the time of infant delivery.