Consumer Information

Facial Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A facial fracture occurs when one or more of your child's bones in the face are broken. This is caused by an injury or trauma to the head or face when a child falls from a height. A direct blow during a fight, physical abuse, or a car accident may also cause a facial fracture. Common signs and symptoms may include a bump, cut, bruise, swelling, or deformity on his face. Your child may vomit (throw up), pass out, have a headache, or feel numb or tingling on his face.
An x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scan may be used for diagnosis. Treatment may include medicines for the relief of symptoms or surgery if the fracture is bad. Most facial fractures heal faster in children than in adults. The younger your child is, the faster the fracture will heal without further problems. With proper treatment, care, and follow-up, your child has a greater chance of having a full recovery.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

RISKS:

Treatment for a facial fracture may cause unpleasant side effects. Medicines may cause your child to have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up). He may bleed or get an infection if he has surgery. If left untreated, the fracture may not heal the right way and get worse. A facial injury may also cause bleeding, deformity, or infection. If not treated right away, permanent injuries, such as nerve damage or paralysis, may develop. Early diagnosis and treatment of facial fracture is very important. Call your child's caregiver if you have concerns about his fracture, medicines, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your child's health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your child's condition. Your child's caregiver should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives your child's caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to your child. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen to your child.

Activity: At first your child may need to rest in bed. Your child's caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get him out of bed. Call your child's caregiver before getting him up for the first time. If he ever feels weak or dizzy, have him sit or lie down right away.

Blood tests: Your child may need blood taken for tests. The blood may be taken from your child's arm, hand, finger, foot, heel, or IV. Blood tests can give caregivers more information about your child's health condition. Your child may need to have blood drawn more than once.

Emotional support: You may stay with your child for comfort and support. Your child may need to stay in the hospital for more than a day. Ask caregivers if another family member can stay with your child when you cannot be there. Bring in something from home that your child likes. Your child may like to have his favorite blanket, toy, or clothing with him.

Ice: An ice pack may be applied to your child's skin on top of the swollen part to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. An ice pack is made of crushed or cubed ice in a plastic bag. Some water is mixed in a bag with the ice to more evenly distribute the cold. Wrap the bag in a towel. Do not leave the ice pack on the skin for a long time to avoid skin damage.

IV: An IV is a tiny tube placed in your child's vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your child may need one or more of the following:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help your child fight an infection caused by a germ called bacteria.
Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your child's stomach and control vomiting (throwing up).
Tetanus shot: This is medicine to keep your child from getting tetanus. It is given as a shot. Your child should have a tetanus shot if he has not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your child's arm can get red, swollen, and sore after getting this shot.
Pain medicine: Caregivers may give medicine to decrease your child's pain. Tell a caregiver if your child's pain does not go away or comes back after taking this medicine. Pain medicine can have side effects. Tell a caregiver if your child has trouble breathing, is very sleepy, or has an upset stomach. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to any medicine.

Mouth care: You may need to help clean your child's mouth 4 to 6 times a day. Cleaning your child's mouth will remove pieces of food and clean his teeth. A water pik or a small soft toothbrush will work well to clean your child's mouth. Ask your caregiver for information about proper mouth care.

Neurologic signs: These are also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. A caregiver may check your child's eyes, memory, and how easily your child wakes up. The strength of your child's arms, hands, legs, and feet may also be checked. These signs may tell caregivers how your child's brain is working.

Oxygen: Your child may need oxygen to help him breathe easier. Your child may need a nasal cannula (small tubes placed in the nose) or mask. Many children do not like having these on their face, so caregivers may place the mask next to your child's face. Some children are placed in an oxygen tent or plastic hood. Do not take off your child's oxygen without asking your child's caregiver first.

Tests: Your child may need one or more of the following:

Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your child's face and head. It may be used to look at your child's bones, muscles and brain. Your child may be given a dye before the pictures are taken. The dye may help your child's caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your child's caregiver if he is allergic to shellfish, or has other allergies or medical conditions.
Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This test is also called an MRI. An MRI uses magnetic waves to take pictures of your child's face and head. During an MRI, pictures are taken of his bones, brain, or blood vessels. He will need to lie still during an MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This may cause serious injury.
X-rays: Your child may need to have x-rays of his face and head taken to check for broken bones or other problems.

Treatment options: Your child may need one or more of the following:

Device: Your child may need to wear a brace to keep his neck from moving. This may prevent more problems if his spine is injured. Bandages, wires, or splints may also be used to support your child's facial bones.
Irrigation and debridement: This is done when the facial fracture also has an open wound. This cleans and removes objects, dirt, or dead tissues from the fracture area.
Surgery: Your child may need surgery to return the bones to their normal position if the fracture is bad. Surgery may also be needed to correct a deformity or fix damaged tissues on the face. Pins, plates and screws may be used to hold broken bones together. Damage to the eyes, nose, mouth, nerves, or blood vessel may also be treated with surgery.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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