Background

•Pediatric craniofacial fractures account for only 5 to 15 percent of all facial fractures and 4.6 percent of pediatric craniofacial trauma

 

•Features unique to pediatric facial fractures, such as the presence of unerupted teeth or mixed dentition in children, higher elasticity of the facial bones, the presence of compliant sutures, lower pneumatization of sinuses, and additional protection by the cranium, result in higher force required to produce facial fractures and increased frequency of skull fractures relative to facial fractures

 

•Facial or skull trauma has uniquely detrimental effects on the growth and development of the cranium in pediatric patients

 

•Previous pediatric craniofacial fracture studies have been limited by selection criteria

 

•The goal of this study was to provide a foundation for long-term follow-up and outcomes assessments in order to guide optimal treatment and prevention protocols for pediatric craniofacial fractures