epidemiological patterns and clinical management strategies of pediatric facial fractures

Introduction: pediatric maxillofacial fractures pose unique challenges due to anatomical and developmental differences from adults. effective management requires understanding the etiology, patterns, and treatment of these injuries. to evaluate the incidence, causes, types, and treatment of pediatric facial fractures, aiming to improve clinical management and preventive strategies. materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 children (aged <15 years) with facial fractures at shar teaching hospital, sulaimani, iraq, from october 10, 2024, to april 20, 2025. data on demographics, causes, fracture types, associated injuries, and treatment methods were analyzed. results: the study population had a mean age of 7.85 years, with 65% of the participants being male. falls were the most common cause (59%), followed by road traffic accidents (38%). lower facial fractures (53%) were most frequent, primarily involving the mandible, followed by mid facial (50%) and upper facial fractures (1%). soft tissue injuries occurred in 90% of cases, and 11% had additional orthopedic or neurological injuries. treatment methods included closed reduction (47%), conservative management (44%), and open reduction (9%). conclusion: pediatric facial fractures are more common in males and older children, primarily caused by falls and road traffic accidents. improved safety measures, enhanced parental supervision, and specialized pediatric trauma management are essential. large-scale studies are needed to establish standardized treatment protocols.