Human bites in children. A six-year experience
M. D. Baker and S. E. Moore
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
Three hundred twenty-two human bites in children, occurring during a
six-year period, were reviewed. The majority occurred during warm-weather
months between 2 PM and 11 PM. The upper extremities (42%), face and neck
(33%), and trunk (22%) were most commonly bitten. At the time of injury,
children were most often engaged in fights (61%) or play (26%).
Seventy-five percent of wounds were superficial abrasions, 13% were
punctures, and 11% were lacerations. None of the 242 abrasions became
infected as opposed to 38% of the punctures and 37% of the lacerations.
Other factors associated with increased risk of infection were delay in
initial physician assessment beyond 18 hours after injury, location of the
bite on the upper extremities, and occurrence of injury during sports
activities. Prophylactic use of penicillin was probably not effective in
reducing infection rates in these children; however, prospective data are
needed to properly address this issue.
