Incidence of dog bite injuries treated in emergency departments

JAMA. 1998 Jan 7;279(1):51-3. doi: 10.1001/jama.279.1.51.

Abstract

Context: Dog bites that result in injuries occur frequently, but how frequently dog bite injuries necessitate medical attention at a hospital or hospital admission is unknown.

Objective: To describe the incidence and characteristics of dog bite injuries treated in US emergency departments (EDs).

Design: Emergency department survey from the National Center for Health Statistics National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 1992 to 1994.

Patients: National probability sample of patients visiting EDs.

Main outcome measure: Incidence of dog bites treated in EDs, defined as a cause of injury recorded as the E-code E906.0.

Results: The 3-year annualized, adjusted, and weighted estimate of new dog bite-related injury visits to US EDs was 333687, a rate of 12.9 per 10000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.5-15.4). This represents approximately 914 new dog bite injuries requiring ED visits per day. The median age of patients bitten was 15 years, with children, especially boys aged 5 to 9 years, having the highest incidence rate (60.7 per 10000 persons for boys aged 5 to 9 years). Children seen in EDs were more likely than older persons to be bitten on the face, neck, and head (73% vs 30%). We estimated that for each US dog bite fatality there are about 670 hospitalizations and 16000 ED visits.

Conclusions: Dog bite injuries are an important source of injury in the US population, especially among children. Improved surveillance and prevention of dog bite-related injuries, particularly among children, are needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / epidemiology*
  • Bites and Stings / therapy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dogs*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance
  • United States / epidemiology