Management of physical child abuse in South Africa: literature review and children's hospital data analysis

Interpersonal Violence-Related Trauma Among South African Children

INTRODUCTION

Injuries account for a major portion of disability-adjusted life years in children globally, and low-and middle-income countries are disproportionally affected. While injuries due to motor vehicle collisions and self-harm have been well-characterized in pediatric populations in South Africa, injuries related to interpersonal violence (IPV) are less understood. Our study aims to characterize patterns of injury, management, and outcomes for pediatric patients presenting with IPV-related injuries in a South African trauma center.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of trauma patients ≤18 y of age presenting to the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service in Gray's Hospital in South Africa from 2012 to 2022, comparing those with injuries resulting from IPV to those with non-IPV injuries. Patients' and injury pattern characteristics and outcomes were descriptively analyzed.

RESULTS

Out of 2155 trauma admissions, 500 (23.2%) had IPV-related injuries. Among patients with IPV-related injuries, the median age was 16.0 y. 407 (81.4%) patients were male. 271 (54.2%) patients experienced blunt trauma, 221 (44.2%) had penetrating trauma, and 3 (0.6%) suffered both. The most common weapons were knives (21.6%), stones (11.2%), and firearms (11.0%). The most commonly injured regions were the head (56.4%), abdomen (20.8%), and thorax (19.2%). 19.6% underwent surgical intervention, and 14.4% were referred out for subspecialty care. 1.4% patients died, and 1.2% returned to Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service within 30 d of discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

IPV patients are a distinctive subgroup of pediatric trauma patients with different demographics, patterns of injury, and clinical needs. Further research is needed to better understand the unique needs of this neglected population.

A Surgical Technique to Repair Perineal Body Disruption Secondary to Sexual Assault

Perineal trauma is uncommon in the pediatric population and it is estimated that 5 to 21% is secondary to sexual abuse. We aim to present a proposed surgical technique to repair perineal injuries secondary to sexual assault in female children. The technique is based on the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) for repairing anorectal malformations and, between 2017 and 2019, it was used to treat three girls (2 months, 2 years, and 8 years of age) with fourth-degree perineal injuries secondary to sexual assault. One of them underwent laparotomy and Hartmann's colostomy for an acute abdomen. Two underwent wound debridement and suturing and only had a stoma fashioned at 5 days and 6 weeks posttrauma, respectively. The perineal repair was performed 2, 6, and 7 weeks postinjury and done as follows: with the child prone in jack-knife position, stay-sutures are placed on the common wall between the rectum and the vagina. Using a needle tip diathermy, a transverse incision is performed below the sutures lifting the anterior rectal wall up. Stay sutures are then positioned on the posterior wall of the vaginal mucosa. The incision between the walls is deepened until the rectum and the vagina are completely separated. The deep and superficial perineal body is then reconstructed using absorbable sutures and an anterior anoplasty and an introitoplasty are performed. The stoma in each was closed 6 weeks postreconstruction. At follow-up, now 1 year or more postrepair, all patients have an excellent cosmetic outcome and are fully continent for stools.

Treatment of rape-induced urogenital and lower gastrointestinal lesions among girls aged 5 years or younger

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate outcomes after treatment of rape-induced urogenital and lower gastrointestinal lesions among young girls.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, data were assessed from girls aged 5 years or younger who were treated for sexual-assault-related injuries at the General Referral Hospital, Panzi, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, between 2004 and 2014. Data were obtained from review of charts, records of the mother's impressions and physical examinations, and photographic evidence. Elective surgery had been reserved for patients experiencing fecal and/or urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

Overall, 205 girls aged 5 years or younger presented with rape injuries: 162 (79.1%) had only mucocutaneous lesions, 22 (10.7%) had musculocutaneous lesions, and 21 (10.2%) had musculocutaneous lesions complicated by fecal and/or urinary incontinence. Among the 21 girls who underwent perineal surgery, two with fecal and urinary incontinence and perforation of the peritoneum of Douglas pouch were additionally treated by laparoscopy. Among 16 patients with fecal incontinence, the continence score had improved significantly at 10.4 months after surgery (P<0.001). Concomitant urinary incontinence subsided for four of five patients but persisted for one who had a gunshot wound to the vagina. Cosmetic outcome was normal in 19 cases.

CONCLUSION

For rape survivors aged 5 years or younger, a treatment strategy by which surgery is reserved for incontinent patients provided good cosmetic and functional outcomes.